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Places To Visit In Hampi

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Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Vithala Temple

Lotus Palace

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

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1. Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

1 km from city center 1 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Also known as the Pampapathi temple, it is the most famous temple in Hampi and dates back to the 7th century. It is said that this temple has had a continuous run since then, making it one of the oldest functioning temples in India.

2. Vithala Temple

1 km from city center 2 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture.

3. Lotus Palace

2 km from city center 3 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Close to the Zenana Enclosure, is a monument that stands out in its design and style from most of the structures of Hampi. Another complex, for royal women, this one gets its name from the lotus-like dome

4. Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

4 km from city center 4 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Atop the Anjenaya Hill, this temple is dedicated to Hanumana. 570 steps must be climbed by devotees to visit this temple. The view from atop the hillock beside this temple is a feast for the eyes.

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5. Hampi Bazaar

0 km from city center 5 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

This bazaar is facing the Virupaksha temple and hence is also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar.

6. Hippie Island

1 km from city center 6 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Virapapur Gadde or Hippie Island is a small island situated across the Tungabhadra river. It takes 5 minutes to travel to the island via coracle or boat. The island is an epitome of scenic beauty and is known for laidback ambient and lodges.

7. Coracle Ride

7 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

When in Hampi, you absolutely have to get hold of a coracle and ride in one. It is one of the few places in the country where you can get such an experience and we guarantee that it is going to be a lot of fun. You can rent a coracle at really economic rates and cross the rates in the ferry that looks exactly like the one in olden days. Coracle rides can be arranged for Rs. 50 or around that price and this is one of the most definitive experiences amongst things to do in Hampi. Coracle rides can be arranged at Tungabhadra River boating area, Sanapur Lake, or at Sanapur waterfalls.

8. Queen's Bath

2 km from city center 8 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

A part of the Royal Enclosure, this aquatic enclosure was the Royal bath during the times of the Vijayanagra Empire. It was built in such a way that no outsiders could enter the bath, and has lost much to ruins at the date.

9. Matanga Hill

0 km from city center 9 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

This hill is described as the location of the hermiatge of the Saint Matanga during the Ramayana, hence is appropriately named.

10. Elephant Stables

1 km from city center 10 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The Elephant Stables served as an enclosure for royal elephants back in the day of the Vijayanagra Empire.

11. Monolith Bull

1 km from city center 11 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The ride of Lord Shiva, the bull is represented here as a sculpture placed on a high platform. It is partially ruined, but is a major attraction owing to its huge size.

12. Big Shivlinga

1 km from city center 12 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Carved out of a single boulder, this Shivlinga stands at a height 3m amidst water. It is a major attraction in Hampi.

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13. Zenana Enclosure

1 km from city center 13 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The Zenana Enclosure was primarily the Women's Quarters. A part of the Royal Enclosure, this was a place especially for the Royal women i.e. the Queen and her friends and companions.

14. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

1 km from city center 14 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

This temple features the biggest effigy in Hampi, of Narasimha sitting on SeshaNaag i.e. the seven headed snake acting as a shelter to him. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed along with that of Narasimha.

15. Daroji Bear Sanctuary

17 km from city center 15 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Established in 1994, this sanctuary was converted from a thorny forest to a lush green area which is now inhabited by Sloth Bears.

16. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

1 km from city center 16 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The Hemakunta Hill houses a temple complex, many of them dedicated to Lord Shiva. These are all protected by a fort, providing a secluded atmosphere.

17. Old Palace

58 km from city center 17 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The Old Palace, surrounded by a fort, and is in ruins as of today. It is located in Anegondi, for which kingdom this palace served as the center.

18. Mahanavami Dibba

2 km from city center 18 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

This structure served as a focal point from where the Vijayanagara kings ruled their Kingdom. Various aspects of courtly life are depicted on this huge structure, including a gem studded throne.

19. Achyutraya Temple

0 km from city center 19 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

This temple is also known as the Tiruvengalanatha Temple, after the main deity, a form of Lord Shiva.

20. Hazara Rama Temple

2 km from city center 20 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

At the middle of the Royal Centre, this was a place of worship for the royals. The walls and pillars are beautifully adorned with fascinating carvings, including the outside walls of the compound. This temple is smaller in size compared to the others in Hampi.

21. Archaeological Museum

3 km from city center 21 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

A government museum in the area houses a number of artifacts, remains, and other exhibits found during excavation.

22. Rock Climbing

1 km from city center 22 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Hampi is always full of rock climbers who are climbing up the boulders with their crash pads around. The landscape is ideal for rock climbing and bouldering since there are granite craigs and boulders all around. Bolting is limited, so carry a crash pad along.

23. Anegundi Village

3 km from city center 23 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Located on the banks of River Tungabhadra, Anegundi village is famous for the Aramane Palace Ruins, the Kamal Mahal, the Huchappayana Matha Temple, the Ranganatha temple and the Nava Brindavan. The village is older than Hampi and is considered a World Heritage Site. The rich culture and the beautiful architecture of the important monuments make it a major attraction for tourists.

24. Kadalekalu Ganesh

1 km from city center 24 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Kadalekalu Ganesh is an important religious attraction in Hampi. The temple has traditional stone architecture and is located on Hemakuta Hill and has a huge 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which is a believed to be one of the largest in the world. The reason why the attraction is called Kadalekalu is because the belly of the deity is chiselled to look like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram).

25. King's Balance

1 km from city center 25 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Situated close to the Vittala Temple, King's Balance is an ancient 15th-century weighing scaled which was used to weigh the king with the royal jewels every year on special occasions. The jewels were then donated to the temple priests. The structure has intricately carved pillars. It is made of granite and the pillars support a stone beam that has hoops which were used to suspend the balance. Interestingly, the king was made to eat rich and fatty food and encouraged to not move too much so that the few extra kilos would reflect on the scale and ensure that more jewels could be donated to the priests.

26. Riverside Ruins

1 km from city center 26 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The Riverside Ruins are a splendid cluster of Shivalings carved on a flat rocky surface, in addition to several shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other Hindu deities, some of which are partially submerged. These ruins are in a row of 108 lingas and a sqaurish 1008 lingas and can be spotted all across the gorge.

27. Sasivekalu Ganesh

1 km from city center 27 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Sasivekalu Ganesh has a gigantic monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha. The statue is over 8 feet tall and was created in the memory of a Vijayanagara King - King Narasimha II. It is often associated with the legend of Ganesha when he tied a snake around his belly when his stomach was about to burst after he had consumed a lot of food. The snake can be clearly seen around Lord Ganesha's belly.

28. Hampi Utsav

28 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Hampi Utsav, Hampi festival also known as the Vijaya Utsav is one of the largest celebrations of the ancient Vijayanagar empire now Hampi. The festivities take place every year at the Virupaksha Temple, commemorating the culture, traditions of the bygone era. With the beautifully carved ruins of Hampi serving as the backdrop, the rich culture of this region is shown through folk song and dance performances. The Janapada Kalavahini, a concert of folk songs, and the light and sound shows are unique attractions which you can't afford to miss.

29. Shopping in Hampi

0 km from city center 29 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

The stone carvings by local artists are a good piece of memorabilia to take back from Hampi.

30. Cliff Jumping

30 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Apart from wandering through several ruins, Cliff Diving is one of the prime activities and things to do in Hampi. Especially popular among adventure buffs, the activity is enough to give you a divine adrenaline rush. You will find signs warning you of crocodiles in the Tungabhadra river below but there are little to no reports of crocodiles ever found at the diving sites. Sanapur Lake and Hampi Lake are also very popular sites for cliff diving in Hampi.

31. Bike Riding

31 out of 31 Places To Visit in Hampi

Riding a bike across town is a whole new way to experience the local life, green fields and local culture. This is one of the most popular activities and things to do in Hampi, among tourists. Other than being a fun activity, it allows you to explore the town on your own. You can relax by the meadows or try delicious food at the local markets. Be sure to capture all these memorable moments in your camera. Bicycles can be rented from many places in Hampi and bike tours of the World Heritage Site are very commonly conducted.

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• 35 Places to Visit in Hampi

Attractions to Visit in Hampi

Here are some of the best places to visit in hampi:, quick navigation.

Virupaksha Temple

The temple is so constructed that its main entrance faces east and homes to two courtyards. No sooner you enter the temple, there is a statue of Nandi with three heads. There is a pillared hall in the center which is reckoned as the Ranga Mandapa. In case you are an international traveler, you have to register yourself at a police outpost with all your essential details. Mostly, this temple remains crowded in December; whereas it celebrates its annual festival in February and it is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. Location : South banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees. However, you can hire a guide to give you complete information about the temple at its footsteps for a nominal charge of 50 INR. Click Here to Book Now:   Green Planet Dubai Tickets Planning a trip to Hampi? Checkout & Book:   Hampi Tour Packages

Vijaya Vittala Temple

Vijaya Vittala Temple or Vijaya temple of Hampi amongst the ancient Places to Visit In Hampi worthy of visiting. There are fantastic stone structures all around, and the pillars here appear as if they are playing music. This is true architectural excellence of Hampi as it exemplifies remarkable creativity and the beauty of architecture’s imagination. The architecture of this temple dates back to the Dravidian era and reflects South Indian traits. Three towering gateways are encircling the temple along with high compound walls. Maha Mantapa, Stone chariot, musical pillars are amongst the tourist attractions of this Vijaya Vittala Temple. Location:  8FRG+W3H,   Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors of Vijaya Vittala Temple are open from morning 08:30 am to evening 18:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to this temple Check Out:  Best Resorts in Hampi Also Checkout & Explore:   Places To Visit In Thailand

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal exhibits an explicit architectural design amongst all the other Hampi tourist places. It is so called as it more or less resembles the shape of a lotus flower. Central dome of this Mahala resembles the bud of lotus and the balcony and passages as petals. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting and Indo architectural style. There are around 24 pillars to provide excellent support to the arched windows of this palace. Location: SH 131, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The Lotus Mahal Hampi is open for visitors from morning 08:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: The entry fees of Lotus Mahal Hampi is fixed at 10 INR per Indian, 250 INR per foreigner and no charges for children below the age group of 15 years. Also Recommended:   Best Trekking Tours in Hampi for an adventurous experience

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is present at a distance of around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is a part of a cave standing at the peak of a hill and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. Also, the Tungabhadra river flows through the steps of this hill. Here, you can find Lord Hanuman indulged in a state of deep meditation. Within a distance of five minutes from here, you can find another temple dedicated to Lord Srinivasa. In case you feel hungry, you can approach small stalls nearby selling either mangoes, biscuits or cucumbers. It is best if you plan on your itinerary to this place in between October to March. Location:  8FM9+89H, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can visit this temple at any point during the daytime. It takes around one hour to cover your entire visit here. Price: There are no entry fees here. Also, you can easily take in your cameras here to capture some beautiful pictures of this place. Do Checkout: Best Hampi Tour Package From Bangalore

Hampi Bazaar

When you have a day reserved at leisure, do not forget to try a shopping hand at the Hampi Bazaar. It spreads more than a kilometer and the road that passes through this market exhibits pavilions on both roadsides. Alternatively, this shoppers stop is known as Virupaksha Bazaar which is one of the best Places to Visit In Hampi,  Towards the eastern side, you can find a street to be occupied by the local villagers. There is a large Nandi bull statue at the east end of this Hampi Bazaar street. Nearby pavilion exhibits photos of Hampi right from the ancient times. Location: Hampi Bazaar St, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can stop and shop at any time from morning 06:00 am to night 11:00 pm. Price: No one is going to charge you any expense for your visit to Hampi Bazaar. However, if you are a shopaholic, do not forget to carry a reasonable sum as the place has many things to attract your tender heart.

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Hippie Island

Queen's Bath

Reckoned as a large bath of Hampi, Queen’s Bath exemplifies the Vijayanagara's architectural excellence. It lies close to one of the most awful places to visit in Hampi- the Royal Enclosure. Although built around 500 years ago, this magnificent structure still remains intact in its construction. It’s simplest exterior perfectly blends with an ornate interior to embrace its overall appearance. It a rectangular building admeasuring around 30 square meters and has a large sunken bath at its center. It may interest you to find arched corridors all around this Royal bath. Location:  8F7C+9X9,   Karnataka 583239 Timings: Queen’s bath is open for visitors from morning 08:30 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: Entry to the Queen’s bath is free from all charges. Suggested Read:   Best Things to Do in Hampi

Matanga Hill

Out of all the places to visit in Hampi, Matanga Hill is the one which is most talked about. It represents the highest point of Hampi, and it’s a picturesque destination for the travel photographers to capture some aerial vies of Hampi. North portion of this hill terminates into Tungabhadra river where you have another religious place to visit-Kodanda Rama temple. Towards the south of this hill, you have a twisting valley with a zigzag Turthu canal. Low-lying Northern section exhibits a trekking trail that connects straightaway to Hampi bazaar. Location: 8FJ9+M83, Hampi, Karnataka Timings: There are no specific timings to climb on the Matanga Hills. However, tourists make it a point to climb this hill early in the morning to capture the allure of sunrise and carry ahead with their downward journey in the evening after sunset. Price: Climbing Matanga Hill is absolutely free of cost.

Elephant Stables

Elephant Stables is amongst the significant tourist places to visit in Hampi to witness a little to absolutely no destruction. It is a long building homing to a series of dome-shaped chambers which once were used for the parking of royal elephants. These chambers are around 11 in their total count; some of which are interconnected. The whole building gives a symmetrical appearance, and the central hall tower reflects the shape of most of the temples here. This central hall has five domes on either side of it which reflects an Islamic style of architecture. Location:  8FCF+C3X, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors of this Elephant Stables are open from early morning 08:30 am to evening 05:30 pm. It takes around an hour to complete your visit here. Price: There is an entry fee of 10 INR for Indians and 250 INR for foreigners. Entry for children up to the age group of 15 years is absolutely free of cost.

Monolithic Bull

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Badavilinga Temple

Badavilinga Temple is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva and one of the most visited Hampi tourist places. It lies close to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and homes to a beautiful Linga carved out of a black stone. The linga is around 3 meters high and dates back to the era of the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga lies within a small stone chamber of this temple with only a single narrow opening and is without a ceiling. The pedestal is circular in shape and reflects as the Yone Pitha of Lord Shiva Linga. Location:  8FH5+PJC, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Badavilinga Temple doors are open for the devotees from morning 05:00 am to night 09:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to make your visit here.

Zanana Enclosure

Once reckoned as a secluded area for the Vijayanagara Kingdom’s royal ladies, Zanana Enclosure reflects a sprawling compound with tall walls. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction of this place. You can either step in through its northern entrance or through its north-eastern entrance. Zanana Enclosure homes to three watchtowers each standing at eastern, south-eastern and northern ends of this magnificent structure. The entire architecture here reflects an Indo-Islamic style. Lotus Mahal, queen’s palace’s basement, treasure building, and water pavilion are some key attractions of this place. Location:  8FCC+88X, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: This place is open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm Price: Entry fee here is 10 INR per Indian, and for foreigners, it is 250 INR.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Most significant of all the religious statues in Hampi, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the amongst the next best Hampi tourist places to visit. Here, the figure of Lord Narasimha sits on a coil of a snake with seven heads in a Yoga position. This statue has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap. It takes around one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here. The best time to visit this temple is in between October to February. Location: Southern end of Hemakuta group of temples, Hampi, India Timings: You can easily make your way inside Lakshmi Narasimha Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees here. You can click photographs of the temple without any charges.

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

You are going to find a lot of Indian Sloth Bears here at Daroji Sloth bear Sanctuary. Hillocks here are rough enough and are dotted with a lot of boulders. The Sloth bear count here goes to around 120. However, the sanctuary also accounts for other species. Tiger, Leopard, Mongoose, Pangolins, Star Tortoise, and Spotted Deer are some other animal species found here. This sanctuary alone exhibits around 90 bird species, 27 butterfly species, and a watch tower at the center. Location: Seetharama Tanda, Karnataka 583215 Timings: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm on all days. Price: For Indian tourists, the entry fee is 25 INR while the foreigners need to pay a sum of 100 INR. If you are eager to bring in your own two or four wheelers, you will have to pay additional charges accordingly.

Old Palace (Gagan Mahal)

This Gagan Mahal dates back to the 16th-century era. Although significant portions of this palace are currently under ruins, it is still amongst worthiest places to visit in Hampi. The palace is small and yellow in color with decorated windows and encircled all over by four beautiful towers. Once here, you can march towards Sarovara Laxmi Temple, Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Durga Temple, and other nearby religious places of importance. It is best to visit here anywhere between October to March. However, take care that there is no public transport here to ride around. Location: Anegundi, Karnataka 583227 Timings: This Gagan Mahal is open for all 24 hours. It takes approximately one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here. Price: There are no entry fees here.

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Hemakuta Hill Temples

Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering an astounding view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways. This is the next best place to watch the sunrise and sunset as tourists find it easier to reach to its top position. Virupaksha temple, Moola Virupaksha temple, Krishna temple and shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha and Badivilinga are some of the best places to visit in Hampi. These temple architectures are entirely different and date back to the era of Vijayanagara king rule. These group of temples has three chambers conjoined to resemble a pyramid roof. Location: Centre of the city, Hampi, India Timings: You can climb the Hemakuta Hill temple at any time from dawn to dusk. Price: There are no entry fees to reach and adore the ancient beauty of Hemakuta Hill Temple. You May Also Like: Best Homestays in Hampi for a relaxing stay

Achyutaraya Temple

The last one to go down in the list of places to visit in Hampi is the Achyutaraya Temple. This temple lies amidst the Matanga Hills and Gandhamadana. This temple exhibits Vijayanagar’s architectural elegance and homes to a beautiful idol of Lord Tiruvengalanatha. All towers, pillars, and walls of this beautiful temple are exquisitely carved and ornamented. The main shrine of this temple is situated amidst a rectangular concentric structure. Location:  8FJC+Q26, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors are opened for a visit from 05:30 am to 01:00 pm. Again, in the evening, the doors are opened from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm. Price: No entry fee is charged for entry to this temple.

Hazara Rama Temple

This beautiful temple marks its presence at the central focus of a royal area and is dedicated to Lord Rama. The walls of this temple are eager to illustrate the entire Ramayana flow before its visitors. Once you reach here, you can find bas relics of both Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna. Also, do not forget to miss on the remnants illustrating a Dasara celebration. Towards its northern side, you may find a sprawling lawn widely stretched apart. The temple has two huge getaways and the interior homes to sculpted columns. Location:  8F99+4G2, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Reaching this temple is no longer a whammy situation as the doors are open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. It hardly takes two hours to complete your visit here. Price: There is no entry fee being charged by the temple authorities.

Archaeological Museum

A tiny yet worthy of visiting museums, Archaeological Museum of Hampi accounts for the best Places to Visit In Hampi to spend some time with. This museum accounts for four principal sections each dedicated to a different exhibit. The first section exhibits Hampi model, the second section shows sculptures and idols dedicated to Hampi ruins. The third section exhibits tools, arms, and ammunition. The fourth section exhibits artifacts dating back to the pre-historic and post-historic era. Location: Kamalapur Road, Hampi, India Timings: You are free to take a dig at the beauty of this Archaeological Museum from morning 10:00 am to evening 05:00 pm. Price: Per head you need to pay around 5 INR as entry fees. Entry is free for children under the age of 15 years. Photography is permitted only for the lawn exhibits. Also Checkout:  Things To Do In London At Night

Riverside Ruins

Close to a river edge of Kodandarama Temple are a couple of lingas carved on a flat rock surface. The arrays of this Shiv Linga contains around 100 to 1000 such lingas. A little away from this array is Lord Vishnu’s carved sculpture. Also, you can find a lot of tiny shrines that are submerged here and rock surfaces reflecting carved motifs. Be extremely careful while you step on the slippery rock surfaces especially in the monsoons. If the river is stable, you can head towards this place through a coracle ride at a nominal charge of around 25-50 per head. Location: N ear the Kodanda Rama Temple, Hampi. Timings: You can visit riverside ruins at any point of time. Yet, if you plan to take a coracle ride here, you must cross-check with its availability in accordance with your chosen time of visit. Price:  There is no entry fee.

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Underground Temple-Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

Underground Shiva Temple’s every single piece of the structure reflects a perfect blend of mythology and history. This is amongst the only places to visit in Hampi lying under water. The central portion of this ancient shrine always lies immersed in water. According to local beliefs, it is the Tungabhadra river which flows through the interior of this temple through canals. There is the main hall, a courtyard, a small hall that leads to the innermost sanctum. All around the temple is a lush green lawn where you can sit and relax for some time. Location: Hampi Main Bus Stand, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: There is no time restriction to reach here. However, it is always better to visit here before sunsets. It will hardly take around 30 minutes to complete your visit to this temple. Price: The temple authorities won't be charging you for an entry to this temple.

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Krishna Temple

Built by Krishnadevaraya, Krishan temple of Hampi is the sign of Orissa campaign’s success. This temple is amongst those hand-picked places to visit in Hampi which are globally reckoned for their exquisite carvings. The love of Krishnadevraya for art and architecture is quite evident from the beauty of this place. For the original idol of this place, you need to head towards Chennai’s State Museum. The temple campus is encircled all over by massive pillars and small shrines. Towards its eastern side, lies a grand hall. You can grab a fresh banana from the Banana plantations that mark their presence to the south zone of this temple. Location: Bellary, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can seek blessings here at Krishna Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: No authority here will demand any form of entry fees from you. However, photography is restricted only in the premises.

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Kadalekalu Ganesha

Homing to one of the largest statues of Hindu deity Ganesha, Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is the famous holy shrine of South India. It is situated on the slopes of well-known Hemakuta Hills, and its towering statue is about 4.6 meters high. The temple features a statue carved out from a single massive stone, and the belly of Lord Ganesha resembles a Bengal gram. Entire hall of the temple homes to slender granite pillars and exhibit fictitious characters. The carvings of these pillars reflect the Vijayanagara architectural style of art. Location:  8FM6+4FQ, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can visit this shrine of Lord Ganesha from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to lead your way to this Kadalekalu Ganesha temple.

Sanapur Lake

Stepped Tank

Stepped tanks here are considered to be sacred tanks for a holy bath before visiting any religious place of importance. Once a while,  they were centers for festival celebrations. There are steps on all four interior sides of such tanks so that you can step down to get in and out of the water. The stepped tank at the Royal center is geometrically larger in its dimensions and is carved out from a green diorite with a complete absence of drainage system. The stepped tank is constructed from black schist stones. Location: Hampi, Karnataka Timings: You can take a dive in the water of these stepped tanks at any time before the sun sets. Price: No entry fees for the stepped tank visit.

Tungabhadra River

Rising from the Western Ghats, Tungabhadra River flow towards the south-east and meets the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh. Being a perennial river, the water level of this river takes a compelling look in monsoons. Tungabhadra Dam is an ongoing project here to aid in the infrastructure development of this region. After you complete your visit to the Virupaksha temple, you can march ahead to this river from the back of the temple. Throughout your journey, you can easily sip in sweet and tender coconut water. Do not forget to miss on your coracle ride while you plan on your Tungabhadra itinerary. Location: Vijayanagara Ruins, Hamp, Karnataka Timings: There is no specific timing to visit the Tungabhadra river. However, for the coracle ride, you need to reach here before sunset. Price: There is no entry fee to visit either the Tungabhadra river or dam. Coracle riding might charge you per head accordingly.

Pushkaranis of Hampi is sacred tanks in association with the Hampi temples. Pushkarani reminds you to take a precise note of ancient town planning and architectural style of the Vijayanagara era. Many of these pushkaranis served as the event venue for their annual boating festivals. During such celebrations, the idols of both Gods and Goddesses are taken out for a coracle ride. Majority of these Pushkarani’s are surrounded all over by explicitly beautiful pillars and arcades. Location: Pushkarani are found near to Royal Enclosure, Virupaksha temple, Krishna Bazaar, Pattabhirama temple. Timings: You can walk-in here at Pushkarani throughout the day. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to complete your visit here.  Price: There are no entry fees here at Pushkarani. Both photography and videography are allowed.

Best of Gokarna

Sasivekalu Ganesha

This Lord Ganesha’s statue derives its resemblance from that of the mustard seed, which is referred to as Sasivekalu in the local dialect thereby leading to its name. This statue is located on the Southern foothill of the Hemakuta and is almost half the size of Kadalekalu Ganesha located on the Northern slope of the same hill.

This statue derives inspiration from an incident of Hindu mythology when one day Lord Ganesha had eaten so much food that his stomach almost burst. So in order to protect his stomach the Lord tied a snake around his belly. On this statue one can see the figure of the snake carved in front of his stomach.

This monolithic statue measure 2.4 metres in height and is carved out of a huge boulder. There is an open pavillion built around the statue, which is believed to be constructed by a trader from Chandragiri (present day Andhra Pradesh) in the memory of Narsimha II the mighty Vijaynagara king. Similar to the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple, this temple too is considered to be one of the important places to visit in Hampi.

Royal Enclosure

The present day fortified area or the Royal Enclosure of Hampi was once the seat of power of the Vijaynagara rulers. In current times this Royal Enclosure is basically a wide open ground consisting of a number of small shelters.

Some of the important structures in here are spread across hundreds of square metres of land and consists of a number of interesting and important relics. Some of the important structures of the Royal Enclosure are the King’s Audience Hall or the 100-Pillared Hall, stepped tank, an underground chamber and the Mahanavami Debbie to the commonly called Dossier Platform.

Since the Royal Enclosure is pretty large a good amount of walking is required to have a look at the entire place. Any kind of vehicles whether manually or automatically driven are not allowed inside the area, so it is advisable to visit this place during early morning or in the evenings, as the atmosphere at these times are more pleasant.

Palace of Vira Harihara

People Also Ask About Hampi

What is hampi famous for, what is there to do in hampi at night, how many days do you need in hampi, how do you cover hampi for one day, what is the best time to visit hampi, is hampi safe to travel alone, how do you cover hampi for 2 days, does hampi have a beach, is it good to visit hampi in july, is hampi worth visiting, how do you get around hampi.

The most common means of local transportation in Hampi is auto-rickshaws. There are also car rental agencies that you can approach in order to get around. The roadways in Hampi are easy, accessible and non-congested. If you want to cross the river in order to reach Virupapur Gaddi, then boats are your only option. The boat fare may vary from INR 50 to INR 100, depending on the time during which you are crossing the river.

What can I buy in Hampi?

Though Hampi is famous for its rich and historical architecture and heritage sites, this city also boasts of great handicrafts and interesting artefacts. Some of the signature items you can collect from Hampi are- - Stone Artefacts and sculptures - Lambani crafts - Leather crafts - Various handmade musical instruments - Crafts made of banana fibre - Local Hampi clothes that are locally hand-made.

Is alcohol allowed in Hampi?

Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Hampi. But the region across the river is considered as a more modern version of the town. With a predominant hippie culture, beer and non-vegetarian foods are allowed for consumption and purchase as well.

How can I go to Hampi from Bangalore?

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25 Top Tourist Places to Visit in Hampi

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Vittala Temple / Vijaya Vittala Temple

#1 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 9 km (or 2.3 km by walk) from Hampi Bus Stand and 5.5 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand, Vittala Temple is an ancient monument located on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River in Hampi. It is one of the largest and the most famous structures to visit as part of Hampi tour packages . The Vijaya Vittala or Vittala Temple is the most famous and popular tourist places to visit in Hampi . This temple is famous for its Stone Chariot and Musical Pillars. It was built around the 15th century AD during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 - 1446 AD). Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 - 1529 AD). This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vittala. The temple is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. This predominant monument of Hampi is a major .....

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Virupaksha Temple

#2 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 400 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Sri Virupaksha temple is a Hindu temple located at the western end of Hampi Bazaar in Hampi. It is the most famous and important temples in Hampi, and among the must include places in Hampi Packages . Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is renowned as one of the most sacred pilgrimage in Karnataka . Virupaksha is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and among all the surrounding ruins, this temple is intact and is still in use. This temple is also called the Pampapathi temple and is one of the most places to visit in Hampi . Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, it is a part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to history, this temple has been functioning uninterruptedly ever since .....

Sri Krishna Temple / Bala Krishna Temple

#3 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Sri Krishna temple is situated on the Hampi main road. Krishna temple is one of the important places to visit in Hampi , and among the Group of Monuments which is currently listed as a part of the World Heritage Monuments by UNESCO. The temple is situated close to the Virupaksha Temple . According to the history, Bala Krishna Temple was built by Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1513 AD. He built this temple to commemorate his victory over Prataparudra Gajapati, the ruler of the eastern kingdom of Udayagiri (now Orissa) which is mentioned in the inscriptions on the slab. The main idol installed in the temple was the figure of Bala Krishna and now it is preserved in the State Museum at Chennai. This temple was built in Panchayathana style with two enclosures. Built-in the center of .....

Mahanavami Dibba / Dasara Dibba

#4 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Mahanavami Dibba or The House of Victory is a beautiful stone platform situated inside the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. It is also known as Dasara Dibba and is one of the most impressive structures to be visited during your Hampi Trip . Mahanavami Dibba was built by King Krishnadevaraya in 1513 AD after his conquest over the kingdom of Udayagiri, present-day Orissa. The grand platform was used as a stage by the kings to watch the army march past, the war games, and the royal procession that were held during the Mahanavami festival, also known as the Dasara festival, hence the name Mahanavami Dibba. It is one of the most fascinating Hampi tourist places . Dasara Dibba represents the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture. The stone platform is about 12 m in height. The huge structure is a square platform with .....

Hazara Rama Temple

#5 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Hazara Rama Temple is a beautiful temple located at the center of Royal Enclosure. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Hazara Rama Temple was built in the early part of the 15th century by Devaraya II. The term Hazara Rama literally means a thousand Rama and refers to the large number of Ramayana panels depicted on the walls. This temple is believed to be the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara.. It was originally built as a simple structure within a rectangular complex. It consisted of only a sanctum, a pillared hall and an ardha-mandapa. Later the temple structure was renovated to add an open porch and beautiful pillars. The pillared hall has unique black stone pillars which are raised on a stone platform at the center of the hall. The interior of the temple has richly ornately columns. An empty pedestal with three holes signifies that the temple once had idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Hazara .....

Pattabhirama Temple

#6 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1.2 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand and 5 km from Hampi, Pattabhirama Temple is situated near ASI museum in Kamalapura. Along with the Virupaksha and Vittala temples, the Pattabhirama temple represents the creative temple-building ventures of the Vijayanagara rulers. Though it contains two inscriptions of King Achyuta Raya, the temple is believed to have been constructed well ahead of his regime. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is known for its intricate architecture. It was a prominent destination for devotees during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Pattabhirama Temple is situated in the center of a huge rectangular enclosure. The east-facing sanctum has a three tier vimana with an antarala, maha-mandapa and ardha-mandapa. The large and square maha-mandapa is a finely built structure with tall and slender composite pillars of various types and is the best example of Vijayanagara style architecture. To the east of the ardha-mandapa is the usual .....

Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

#7 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 600 m from Hampi Bus Stand, The Hemakuta group of temples is a cluster of ancient temples situated on the Hemakuta hill in Hampi adjacent to Virupaksha Temple . Hemakuta, literally meaning golden hillock is one of the most charming hillocks in Hampi. It is dotted by over fifty structures of different types including temples, mandapas, galleries, and gateways of various sizes. Hemakuta Hill offers an excellent view of Hampi Bazaar and Virupaksha temple. The Hemakuta hill has three entry points, one on the south-eastern side, one on the south, and the other on the eastern side of the hill which leads to the street near the Virupaksha temple. There are more than 35 temples on Hemakuta Hill. These temples are built in the pre-Vijayanagara and Vijayanagara periods (9th to 14th century AD). These are referred to as Jain Temples, but many of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Two of the .....

Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Statue

#8 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 800 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Ugra Narasimha Temple is located south of Sri Krishna Temple in Hampi. The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is one of the most imposing sculptures found in Hampi . The specialty of the sculpture is that it is the largest monolith statue in Hampi with a height of 6.7 m. It was carved in 1528 AD during the rule of Krishnadevaraya. The protruding eyes and the facial expression are the basis for this name. This is considered to be among the most important monuments found in Hampi and is visited by a large number of people throughout the year. Lord Narasimha is sitting on the coil of a giant seven-headed Adisesha (guardian snake of Lord Vishnu) and the lions guard the sides of the idol. The heads of the snake act as the hood above his head. The Lord in this temple is in cross-legged yoga position with the belt supporting the knees. The original statue contained the image of goddess Lakshmi, consort .....

Hampi Bazaar

#9 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

Hampi Bazaar is located beside the Hampi Bus Stand and located in front of the Virupaksha temple. It is also known as Virupaksha Bazaar. About a kilometer long, the eastern side of the bazaar ends at the foothill of Matanga Hill. Hampi Bazaar is a unique attraction of Hampi. Both sides of the street have a series of very old pavilions, some single storied and others two storied. These buildings were once the part of a booming market and houses of the upper class merchants. The arcades are open structures with no doors. It was once a place where merchants used to sell precious stones, jewellery, silk clothes, etc. during Vijayanagara rule. It was also a market where cows and horses were traded. The Hampi Bazaar still functions as a market place, though it is no longer as attractive as it was. The western end of the street has been encroached by a number of shop owners and small restaurants. These shops that sell items like ethnic clothes, bags and pooja artifacts. A huge Nandi, .....

Lotus Mahal

#10 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, Lotus Mahal is situated within Zenana Enclosure, a secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire. This is also known as Chitragani Mahal and Kamal Mahal. Lotus Mahal is the primary attraction of the Zenana Enclosure. Shaped like a lotus flower from the top, the archways of the structure resemble petals of a lotus and provide the whole structure the shape of a half-open lotus. The central dome is carved in the shape of a lotus bud. Lotus Mahal is built in Indo-Islamic style. The two storied structure is symmetrically laid out, with equal projections on four sides. The base of the structure resembles Hindu temple style while the upper superstructure is Islamic in architecture with pyramidal towers. The upper floor of the Mahal has balconies with arched windows. The arches of the ground floor are recessed and ornate. The walls are protected .....

#11 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 22 km from Dharwad, 57 km from Gadag, 76 km from Dandeli, 100 km from Belgaum, 102 km from Sirsi, 104 km from Badami, 147 km from Gokarna, 169 km from Karwar, 177 km from Panjim, 183 km from Shimoga, 205 km from Murudeshwar, 210 km from Ballari, 361 km from Mangalore, 406 km from Bangalore, 435 km from Mysore, and 527 km from Hyderabad, Hubli, officially known as Hubballi, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the must include places in Karnataka tour packages , and among the best places to visit near Kolhapur . Hubli or Hubballi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Karnataka, and the second-largest city in the state after Bangalore. Lying on the 'Golden Quadrilateral' this multi-faceted city is also known as the cultural, educational, and music capital of the state. The city boasts numerous monuments and monasteries, ..... Distance (From Hampi): 170 Kms Trip Duration (From Hampi - Including Travel): Full Day .....

Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple

#12 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 2.5 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand and 6 km from Hampi, Sri Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple is located atop the Malyavanta Hill. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple was constructed by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom. According to mythology, Lord Ramachandra and his brother Lakshmana stayed here during the rainy season, in their search of Sita. This 16th century temple was built around a huge boulder in Dravidian architectural style. The east facing temple consists of a sanctum, porch, a large pillared pavilion and a large pillared hall with a large courtyard. There are two gopuras at the temple's entrance. The main shrine consists of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita's idols with the idol of Lord Hanuman kneeling close to them, all carved out of a single boulder. A gap found on the floor is filled with water, which is said to be made by Lakshmana with his arrow. Right behind the temple is a cave temple dedicated to .....

Achyutharaya Temple

#13 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Hampi Bus Stand & 500 m from Hampi Bazaar, Achyutharaya temple is located between the Gandhamadana hill and Matanga hill. It is one of the last grand creations of the Vijayanagara dynasty before the fall of the empire. This temple has been built during King Achyuta Deva Raya, by an officer Salakaraju Tirumaladeva. Achyuta Deva Raya was the younger brother of Krishna Deva Raya and succeeded him in 1529. The main deity of the temple is Lord Tiruvengalanatha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple was originally named Tiruvengalanatha temple but gradually came to be known as Achyutaraya Temple The temple was built in Vijayanagara style architecture. This temple complex has two enclosures, each marked by an entrance tower. The main temple is situated within the second enclosure. The main temple consists of a garbhagriha, an antarala, sukanasi, a rangamandapa and an ornate Kalyana mandapa. The Kalyana mandapa of the temple is a spacious structure .....

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple

#14 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 250 m from Hampi Bus Stand, The Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is situated on the slope of the Hemakuta Hill in Hampi . It is a remarkable monolithic statue and one of the most popular tourist sites in Hampi. Kadalekalu Ganesha is one of the largest statues of Lord Ganesha in Hampi. The giant Ganesha statue is 4.6 m (15 feet) tall and was carved out of a single boulder. The belly of this statue resembles a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu in Kannada) and hence the statue has been given the name of Kadalekalu Ganesha. The temple of Kadalekalu Ganesha is a beautiful stone structure. A sanctum is built around the statue. The pillared hall in front of this sanctum is decorated with tall and beautiful pillars. The sculptures on the pillars are depicted with mythological characters. The pillars are constructed in the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture. One of the pillars has a carving depicting naughty infant Krishna hiding .....

Royal Enclosure

#15 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The Royal Enclosure in Hampi is a huge fortified area that was once the heart of the Vijayanagara Empire. This was the place where the royal family of the Vijayanagara Empire used to reside and the durbar used to be performed. Spread over an area of 59,000 square meters, it is believed to have once housed over 45 buildings, all used by the royal family. This center was separated from the main Hampi center by an irrigation canal. The sprawling area was protected by double walls. It had three entrances, two on the northern side and one on the western side. The Royal Enclosure contains the ruins of several palace bases, water tanks, temples, ornate platform and canals and many other structures. Unlike the temples, which were constructed with stone, many of the palaces were built out of wood. The most impressive structure in the Royal Enclosure is the Mahanavami .....

Stepped Tank

#16 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 100m from Mahanavami Dibba and 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand, The Stepped tank is located in Durbar Area in Royal enclosure of Hampi. This famous Stepped Tank was excavated by Archeological Survey of India during 1980-1983. This tank is very ornate and one of the most beautiful monuments of Hampi. The Stepped Tank is constructed using finely finished blocks of black stones. This Tank was probably used by the royals for religious purpose. The beautiful tank is about 22 square meters and about 7 meters deep. It has five distinct tiers, each fitted with steps set in a pleasing pattern. The marks on the tank and individual blocks indicate the direction of flow of water. The water to this tank was drawn through the intelligently designed stone channels which are well preserved till date. Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

King's Audience Hall / Durbar Hall

#17 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The King's Audience hall, also known as Durbar Hall is located inside the Royal Enclosure at Hampi. It is a ruined structure whose remnants can be spotted on the western side of the Mahanavami Dibba or Dasara Dibba. The King's Audience Hall was built during the time of the Vijayanagara Empire. According to the famous historian Abdul Razzak, who visited Hampi during the reign of Devaraya II, the King's Audience Hall was one of the most magnificent buildings in Hampi during that time. It is believed that this is the place where the king addressed his administration and the public. The King's Audience Hall was a huge building built with huge blocks of stone and wood. The structure has a ruined stone stairway at the rear of the hall that suggests it might have been a two storied building. The super structure is not present right now. Vestiges of pillar sockets and bases show that it was originally a .....

King's Balance

#18 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 10 km from Hampi Bus Stand (or 1.5 km by walk) and 6 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, King's Balance is located southwest of Vittala Temple , at the end of the Kampa Bhupa's Path in Hampi. It is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. King's Balance is also called Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana. It is regarded as one of the unique monuments of Hampi. It consists of two lofty carved granite pillars about 15 feet high supporting a stone beam about 12 feet in length. It has three hoops on the underside from which the balances or scales are hung. One of the pillars has a bas-relief depicting a king and two queens, possibly Krishna Deva Raya and his consorts. The structure appears like an archway. According to the legend, the balance was used by the king to weigh himself with gold, gems, silver, and precious stones and distributed to the temple priests on certain occasions like Solar .....

Queen's Bath

#19 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand and 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Queen's Bath is located close at the entrance of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. The Queen's Bath is believed to be constructed by Achyuta Raya for the women of the royal family of Vijayanagara. Built in Indo-Islamic style, the Queen's Bath is an elaborate structure with a simple exterior and an ornate interior. It is a rectangular building and is surrounded by ornate balconies, each having a set of three windows. Each arched bay surrounding the bath is decorated with intricate carved stucco ornamentation on the ceilings and the vaults placed above the arched bays. The depth of the pool is 6 feet and has stone steps leading to the bottom of the tank. This 30 square meter structure is surrounded by a moat on all sides and a bridge like structure is made to reach the pool. Probably this was designed to prevent people from entering the area when the royals were bathing. The Queen's Bath is an empty .....

Zenana Enclosure

#20 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The Zenana enclosure is located near the Royal Enclosure at Hampi. This was a fortified and secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire. The structures of the Zenana Enclosure are designed in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. Zenana Enclosure has several structures such as the Lotus Mahal, Basement of the Queen's Palace, Water Pavilion, Treasury Building and the Watch Towers. The major attraction inside the enclosure is the Lotus Mahal. Apart from this, there are remains of water pavilion with a decorated platform in the center and Elephant Stables. The Queen's Palace is located at the middle of this area. This is the largest palace base excavated in the Hampi ruins so far. The Royal Treasury Building is a rectangular structure that is located in the north-western corner of the enclosure. The enclosure is surrounded by a fortifying .....

Elephant Stables

#21 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, Elephant Stable is an ancient monument located just outside the Zenana Enclosure in Hampi. The Elephant Stable is an impressive structure that was used to provide shelter for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is one of the very few structures not suffered the damage during Deccan Sultanate attack on Hampi and is a major attraction among the tourists. This is a beautiful example of Indo-Islamic architecture. There are 11 domed tall chambers. The whole building looks symmetric with respect to this central hall. The center chamber is specially decorated and big. The other 10 domes represent the Islamic style of architecture. Each of the domes was decorated with ornate plaster on the interior as well as the exterior. Metal hooks on the inside roof can be seen. The elephants were tied to these hooks from the center of the ceiling. At the rear of .....

Vira Harihara Palace

#22 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Vira Harihara Palace is an ancient structure located within the fortified area of the Royal Enclosure, south of Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi. Only the ground level of the structure can be seen today. The base of this palace, along with a number of other residential structures is located inside a compound. The area was also called the Mint, based on the mention in one of the chronicles by the travelers who visited this capital in the 15th century. It is believed that the palace belonged to Harihara Raya II, the third king of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Palace is said to have been constructed in the 14th century. After Harihara II, the palace was used by the subsequent kings of the Vijayanagara Empire. The entry to the building is through the eastern side of the wall. The original boundary walls protecting the palace still remain. The tiered foundations showcase the architectural skills of the Vijayanagar craftsmen. It is believed that .....

Matanga Hill

#23 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Matanga Hill is located at the eastern end of the Hampi Bazaar. It offers a breathtaking view of the ruined city and the beautiful landscape below. Matanga Hill is one of the major places to visit in Hampi. Being the highest point in Hampi; this is the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi and its surroundings. There is a small temple on the top of Matanga Hill. On the way down there is a small cave marked where it is believed that Sugriva, ruler of Kishkinda, used to hide. According to mythology, Matanga Hill is one of the holy places described in the epic Ramayana as the base of Saint Matanga. It is also the place where Sugriva benefited from the magical protection of the sage Matanga who had placed a curse of death on Vali, if he dared enter the area of Matanga Hill. Being the highest peak in Hampi, the hill is a trekker's delight and offers pleasing views of the entire town below. There are many trekking paths that .....

Archeological Museum

#24 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 300 m from Kamalapur Bus Stand and 4 km from Hampi Bus Stand, The Archaeological Museum at Kamalapur is dedicated to the ruins of Hampi and surrounding places. The sculptures from various locations of the Hampi ruins were collected by British officers and housed earlier at elephant stables. The first museum of Archaeological Survey of India was established here in 1972. The antiquities were shifted to a modern building at Kamalapur. This museum exhibits elegant replicas of Krishnadevaraya and his queens greeting the visitors at the entrance. The Museum houses a large collection of sculptures and artifacts spread across four galleries. The first gallery of the museum contains two scaled models of Hampi along with all historical monuments. The larger model presents a complete topography of the region along with the monuments and temples located on it. It also displays the hills and rivers in Hampi. It provides an excellent idea about the various attractions .....

Mahadeva Temple - Itagi

#25 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 26 km from Koppal, 43 km from Gadag, 70 km from Hampi, and 79 km from Badami, Mahadeva Temple is an ancient temple situated at Itagi in the Koppal district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular heritage temples in Karnataka, and among the popular places to visit near Hampi as part of Hampi Tour Packages . Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi was built in the year 1112 CE by Mahadeva, a commander (dandanayaka) in the army of the Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI. It was constructed on the general plan of the Amruteshwara Temple at Annigeri. The Mahadeva Temple has the same architectural components as Amruteshwara but there is a difference in their articulation. The well-executed sculptures, finely crafted carvings on walls, pillars, and the tower make it a good example of complete Western Chalukyan art which speaks volumes about the taste of the Chalukyan artisans. An inscription dated 1112 CE .....

Most Asked Questions on Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. This is also the time for exploring the archaeological ruins of Hampi. This is the busiest season in Hampi and often hotels run full and tourist places are crowded.

Hampi usually requires complete 2 days to visit the most important attractions. Hampi can be mixed with near by wonderful destination like Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole by adding few additional days to your trip.

Budget of Hampi trip depends on the trip duration and category of hotel you choose for your stay along with the kind of vehicle you prefer. Hampi tour packages offered by Trawell.in start from as low as INR 7250 per person for a 2D/1N trip and from INR 9000 per person for 3D/2N vacation.

Ensure to cover most important places to visit in Hampi like Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, Mahanavami Dibba, Hazara Rama Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal and Hampi Bazaar. If you have time, you can dedicate a day to visit near by places like Badami, Pattadakal. Hampi is famous for archaeological ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar.

Hampi is a must include place in many treveller's list as this world heritage site is famous worldwide for its incredible hitorical ruins, sprawling landscape of enormous boulders and fascinating rock formations. Once the flourishing kingdom of mighty Vijayanagara kingdom, it is housed as many as 2,000 spectacular monuments. It is also packed full of exciting things to do and see like coracle ride on Tungabhadra River and do some trekking to Matunga hill to witness mesmerizing sunrise and senset.

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Places to Visit in Agra | Places to Visit in Jaipur | Places to Visit in Khajuraho | Places to Visit in Mahabalipuram | Places to Visit in Aurangabad | Places to Visit in Mysore | Places to Visit in Chittorgarh | Places to Visit in Thanjavur | Places to Visit in Ahmedabad | Places to Visit in Gwalior | Places to Visit in Sanchi | Places to Visit in Ramappa Temple

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A Complete Hampi Travel Guide 2021: Hampi Itinerary & Tips

Hampi is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site located by the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, India. The ancient city’s boulder-strewn landscape delights the eye; lush paddy fields and serene lakes soothe the soul, and the timeless ruins with their impressive history and architecture amaze the mind.

Here is a Hampi travel guide with a solid itinerary to maximize your time, details of how to get there, places to stay in Hampi, how to get around and tips for your visit!

Before we start, let us tell you that the face of Hampi has changed in the last year. If you’ve read or seen any content on Hampi before landing on our Hampi travel blog, then note that Hippie Island and restaurants like Mango Tree in Hampi don’t exist anymore. Because of this, your Hampi itinerary could look a lot different from what you had initially planned. Luckily for you, this blog post is from our visit after these changes so you’ll get the most updated information.

Brief Hampi History

Hampi was the capital city of the mighty Hindu Vijayanagar Empire for over 200 years (around 1336 AD to 1565 AD) covering all of southern India south of the Tungabhadra river. The city was an important centre of trade since it controlled both cotton and spice trade routes of Southern India and traded gold, pearls, and other precious items by the kilo. The rulers fortified the kingdom and used their wealth to build an impressive city with beautiful palaces, temples, monolithic statues, markets streets, and monuments.

After the death of the empire’s greatest king, Kishnadevaraya (reigning period 1509-1529), the kingdom soon fell to the combined armies of the neighbouring Muslim rulers of the Deccan. The city was ravaged and plundered and now lies in ruins.

In around 1 CE (the era of the Ramayana) this area was called Kishkinda – the kingdom of monkeys. The Hindu God Hanuman was born in the area!

When to Visit Hampi

Hampi’s main tourist season is in winter from October to February. To avoid crowds, you can also visit in March (explore early morning and evening) and September (rains slow down and Hampi is very green). Know that in the rainy season, however, you will not be able to take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra due to the strong current!

We have only travelled to Hampi in these off-season months and it turned out to be awesome. Lots of peace when exploring the ruins.

How to Reach Hampi

Flight: Toranagallu (11 km), Bellary (61 km) and Belgaum (191 km) are the nearest airports to Hampi. However, since flights are limited to these locations, it would be best to fly to Bangalore (351 km) and then take a bus or hire a car and drive for around 6 hours to Hampi. Book your flight here .

Car: Hampi is at a drivable distance from major cities like Bangalore (351 km or 6 hours), Hyderabad (385 km or 7.5 hours), and Panjim Goa (346 km or 8 hours). We love this method of transport and have always gone on a Hyderabad to Hampi road trip. The drive is a pleasurable one with vast fields and bouldered hills. 

Bus: You can book an overnight bus to Hampi in all cities mentioned above like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. You can book this on Redbus. If living in the neighbouring town of Hospet, you can catch a local KSRTC bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Train: Hospet Railway Station, located about 12 km from Hampi is the nearest station. It is directly connected to major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, etc. From Hospet, you can take a local bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Days Required to Explore Hampi

You need a total of at least three days to see the main sights of Hampi – Two days to explore the heritage area side and one to explore the other side of the river – Anegundi, Anjaneya Hill, etc.!

Four-five days is ideal for a slower, more comfortable, visit!

Places to Stay in Hampi

To make the most of your time in Hampi, it is best to stay at a distance of 0-10 km from Hampi – the closer the better! Know that Hampi isn’t a town in itself. Locals live in a small village called New Hampi but the location doesn’t have any hotels or accommodation. So, you will have to opt for the area near Hampi or at nearby villages.

We have stayed at below given (first two) Hampi resorts and hotels and highly recommend them in terms of location.

Clarks Inn – Located in Kamalapur Town 4.7 km from Hampi’s main attractions, it makes for an ideal place to stay. Small but well-appointed rooms with an in-house restaurant and a small pool! Perfect for those who’ll spend their days exploring and look for only basic comfort in their accommodation. We booked this for only Rs.2000 per night making it a super budget stay, but per our understanding prices are not so low during season time. Check prices and book property here .

Heritage Resort Hampi – Located 7 km from Hampi, this resort is a great mid-range option for families and couples looking for a relaxed and comfortable stay amongst nature. Large rooms, great food at the restaurants, happy hours, evening entertainment, amazing greenery (lots of mango trees) and a decent-sized swimming pool make this stay option one of the most ideal resorts in Hampi. Check prices and book this property here .

Evolve Back Hampi – For the ultimate luxury, opt for this Hampi resort located 9 km away. The architecture of the resort is inspired by that of the Vijayanagar Empire. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a palace. We haven’t stayed here but would love to someday! Check prices and book property her e .

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t care much about worldly comforts, opt for a homestay. You’ll not only save money but also have an authentic local experience.

How to Get Around Hampi

Having your own set of wheels is super convenient. However, if you can’t do that, hire an auto-rickshaw for the day.

You can also opt to hire rickshaws to transport you from one location to the other but this might be more time consuming and you may not find rickshaws outside all points of interest especially if travelling out of season.

Earlier, scooters used to be available for rent, but now due to the demolition of the hippie area, we are not sure if it is possible. It would be best to enquire about scooter hire at your accommodation or ask guides in the Hampi area on Day 1.

Hampi Itinerary – 3 Days

Here is a 3-day Hampi itinerary that will help make the most of your time.

Day one’s itinerary has been written assuming you will be reaching by mid-day or morning, checking into your accommodation and stepping out only after lunch.

If you type Hampi on Google Maps, it takes you to the main Hampi area consisting of Virupaksha Temple and Hemakunta Hills. This is the area you should explore today to get a flavour of what Hampi is all about.

Park your car at the Virupaksha Temple parking or take an auto till there and start your walking adventure for the day. You won’t need a vehicle till after sunset to go back to your hotel.

Sri Virupaksha Temple

Dedicated to Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, this is the most popular and probably the oldest temple in Hampi as it was built in the 7th century (most other sites were built in the 15th century). It is a must-visit for two reasons:

• It is the only working temple in main Hampi
• You get to meet and get blessings from an adorable elephant called Lakshmi.

As you approach the temple, you’ll be welcomed by a beautiful gold Gopuram. Leave your shoes on the left side of the entrance (Rs.2), buy your ticket (Rs. 25 per person), and hire a guide (Rs. 200). You’ll start at a serene courtyard, admire vegetable paintwork on the roof of the main temple, gape at a fascinating opening in the wall that works like a pinhole camera, see a charming kund, and various temples dedicated to other Hindu gods.

The visit should take about half to one hour.

Hemakuta Hills

When we think about Hampi, the Hemakuta hills is what comes to mind. It is a hilltop (made of one huge rock) dotted with several temples and smaller boulders. While the most iconic place to visit here is the Moola Virupaksha Temple just a 3-min walk from Virupaksha Temple, we say don’t sweat it. Just climb the hill and explore on your own though we must mention we love the frangipani tree at the Hemakuta Hanuman temple. Watch the sunset sitting on one of the cliffside benches (google sunset point Hemkuta) or anywhere else that appeals.

Remember the sun doesn’t set at the horizon but much above it due to the haze in the area. Don’t miss the sunset thinking you have a lot of time. Also, as soon as the sun sets, get ready to leave. If you don’t, a police guard will usher you out.

Wondering why this is important? Well after sunset, bears and leopards freely roam the Hampi area. You wouldn’t want to serve yourself as dinner to these animals 😛

Vijaya Vitthala Temple

The Vithalla Temple is dedicated to Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is the most popular, beautiful and fascinating structure in Hampi and attracts a significantly large crowd. Therefore, it is best visited first thing in the day.

The temple opens at 8:30 AM so ensure you’re at the parking by 8:15 AM. Since the temple complex is at a distance of about 1.3 km from the parking, you will have to choose between the two options for getting to the temple – a 15-minute walk or a golf cart ride for Rs. 10 per person. We recommend you walk to the temple visiting various sites on the way and take a golf cart when exiting to save time and energy for the rest of the day.

While walking to the temple’s entrance, you will see the Pushkarni (water tank), Guduregombe Mandapa (temple), and lastly structures that used to be a marketplace. At the entrance buy a ticket (Rs. 40 per person). Keep the ticket safely as it is used at some other sites you’ll be visiting today as well.

On entering the walled temple complex through the gopuram gate, you’ll immediately notice the stone chariot that is featured on India’s Rs. 50 notes. A marvel! Further, you’ll see the Nritya/Ranga mandapa (dance hall) that has musical pillars. When tapped, these pillars that are made of a single piece of resonant stone, make musical sounds. It’s an absolute wonder! This mandapa is shut for maintenance so you may be shown this phenomenon at another mandapa.

After your visit, check out the King’s balance nearby (300 metres) or head directly to the Queen’s Bath (in the Royal Centre) which is about 5 km from here.

The visit should take about 1-1.5 hours.

Royal Centre

Hampi is divided into two – the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. Today, for the first half of the day, you’ll be exploring buildings in the royal centre that houses the palaces, durbars, tanks, residences, and baths used by the royals of the empire. Start at Queen’s Bath the first building in the Royal Centre area.

Queen’s Bath

The Queen’s bath makes for a short and interesting visit. Constructed in Indo-Islamic style, the structure has a simple exterior and an ornate interior with a colossal sunken bath. Due to its distance from the royal enclosure, it is believed to be a pleasure complex. Arched corridors and ornate balconies are what makes this place worth the visit. An owl and owlets are often found inside the empty bath. An additional delight!

After exploring the bath for about 15-20 minutes, head to the Royal Enclosure located 550 metres from the Queen’s bath. Better to take your vehicle instead of walking it if you have one!

A guide is not necessarily required to explore this structure and as such, you won’t find any outside it.

Royal Enclosure

The royal enclosure was the seat of power of the Vijaynagara Empire. In its heydays, this 59000 square meter area housed 45 buildings including the great platform, durbar halls, tanks, and underground chambers.

The main places to see in the Royal Enclosure are:

Mahanavami Dibba (Great Platform) – This 3 tier 8-meter-high platform is the only structure in the enclosure that still stands as it did back then. The raised platform was used by the king to view the Navami/Dussehra celebrations. There are beautiful war carvings at the lower sidewall of the structure.

The Underground Chamber  – This is where spies were held for questioning. It is constructed in a manner that left spies wondering where they are and was made soundproof with flowing water above.

The Stepped Tank  – This is a 5-tiered super-symmetrical and aesthetic 7-metre deep tank that was used for ritual bathing before prayers by the royals. It is different from other tanks in Hampi as it is made of black schist stones to heat and purify the water.

It’ll take you about 30-45 minutes to see the above three structures. Other structures in the enclosure are absolutely ruined so we did not see them. But if you wish you see them anyway then you’ll take about an hour!

Next, proceed to the Hazara Rama Temple located 280 metres from the Royal Enclosure.

Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama temple is a small but beautiful temple that was used only by the royal family. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Vishnu in his aspects as Lord Rama. Since the geographical area is a part of the epic Ramayana, it isn’t tough to reason why there exists a temple entirely dedicated to showcasing Ramayana stories on its walls. The pictorial stories are almost like a comic strip carved along the exteriors of the main shrine. The temple also has black marble pillars that are unlike any other in the city.

The Hazara Rama Temple will take about 20-30 minutes to explore.

Zenana Enclosure

Now, proceed 500 meters along the dirt path to the Zenana Enclosure, a fortified and secluded area for the then royal ladies including the Queen. Per our guide, this structure was primarily used to house the royal women and protect them in times of war. The area was protected by eunuchs and the only man allowed inside was the king.

The main attraction here is the Lotus Mahal built in Indo-Islamic style. You aren’t allowed to step inside which doesn’t matter much as the beauty can be appreciated from outside itself!

You’ll take about 10 minutes here.

Elephant Stables

Just through a pathway from the enclosure, located right outside it, is the famed Elephant Stable. This structure used to provide shelter to the royal elephants, clearly showing their importance in the empire. The architecture has fluted arches topped with Jain, Hindu and Muslim style domes. The secular nature of this Hindu empire was something we appreciated a lot.

You can explore the stables and just sit in the garden and relax for a bit. It will take another 15-20 minutes to explore this area.

Lunch and Relaxation

It’ll be around lunchtime by now. So, head to your hotel, grab a bite and relax for a bit before heading back to explore.

Note that all the famous restaurants you must have heard of do not exist anymore so eating at your hotel restaurant is a good option. If you don’t want to head back to the hotel, ask a guide for information on where to eat.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi as well who was his consort. It is the largest monolith statue in Hamp – an imposing sight! You’ll take about 5-10 minutes here.

Badavilinga Temple

Located a few steps away from the Narasimha Statue is this giant shrine for Shiva. At 3 metres, it is the largest Linga in Hampi and is made of impressive black stone. Another 5-10 minutes are required to admire this structure.

Kadalekalu Ganesha

Next visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha, a 4.6-meter statue, the belly of which resembles a Bengal gram. The temple is a beautiful stone structure decorated with ornate tall granite pillars (that reminded me of Roman ruins for some reason). This Ganesha statue was worshipped by the royals.

This structure is located on Hemakuta hills 450 meters from the Narasimha statue. It will take about 10 minutes to visit.

If you’re a devout Ganesh follower or simply would like to see another Ganesh statue, then you can also visit the Sasivekalu Ganesha – a 2.4-metre high statue of Ganesha that has a snake wrapped around it (to prevent it from bursting due to over-eating per mythology). This Ganesha statue was built for the common people of the kingdom. It is located just 170 meters away from Kadalekalu so you can visit both statues with just 15 minutes to spare.

Coracle Ride on the Tungabhadra River

The coracle ride on the Tungabhadra river was our favourite experience and we’re sure you will enjoy it too. The evening is the best time for a coracle ride as the area is in shade in the evening.

The round boat (coracle) is rowed on the river between massive boulder-strewn cliffs on either side. It is incredibly serene and so hypnotising that you’ll forget you’re in present-day India. You’ll see flowing water, boulders, temples perched precariously atop these boulders and some even submerged in the water. The boatman will tell you about these temples and tell you other interesting facts about the area. Then he will ask you for permission and spin the boat. Shut your eyes and enjoy as the world rotates around you!

We only did the half an hour ride and weren’t completely satisfied, so I suggest you do the whole one hour ride.

The coracle ride costs Rs. 400 per person for half an hour and Rs. 750 per person for an hour.

Sunset at Kamalapur Lake

For sunset, just sit on the benches on the banks of Kamlapur Lake (you’ll see this from the road itself while going from Hampi to Kamalapur) and enjoy as the sun dips and the birds fly by! You’ll only be able to do this if you have your vehicle as there is no transport available in the area.

Phew, that was a long day. It feels longer than it was but for sure it will be tiring. Sleep early to be rejuvenated for the next day’s adventures.

Matanga Hill

Do a sunrise climb to Matanga Hill that has a small Veerbhadra temple at the top. The view from the hill is incredible. You’ll see vast expanses of paddy fields, mountains, scattered boulders, Hemakuta Hills with all its temples, Virupaksha Temple and Achutaraya Temple. You might also be shown a cave on your way up. The hike to Matanga hill is not to be missed!

I suggest hiring a guide for this hike since the path is not defined. As it is just through rocks, it is exposed and slippery in some areas so it is ideal to have someone knowledgeable and confident guide you up. Besides that, the hike isn’t gruelling at all! It takes 40 minutes to reach the top. You will have to start the hike between 5:30 AM-6 AM but confirm the time with your guide first. The hike back down is is a relatively easy one through proper stairs.

It is always better to do this hike at sunrise than at sunset due to the danger of bears after dark!

Have Breakfast and Change

It’ll be around 8:30 AM-9 AM by now. Go back to your hotel to change out of your sweaty hike wear and have breakfast. If you want to catch a little nap (like we did) you can do that too and head out by 10:30 AM -11 AM. You will not be coming back to the hotel until after sunset!

If you don’t care about hotel breakfast, then explore Achyutara temple (below) first before going back to change, as it is located right beside Matanga Hill.

Achyutaraya Temple

We didn’t visit this temple ourselves (despite plenty of requests to our guide), however, it is a great place to visit as far as I know. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. The pillars and walls of the temple have exquisite carvings and ornamentation. The temple is secluded so few people visit!

Park your car/ get off at the Virupaksha Temple parking. Now head toward the opposite side of Virupaksha temple. You’ll see the Hampi Bazaar on either side and the Monolithic Bull at the base of the hill before heading to explore the temple. The visit will take an hour or so.

Note that this temple cannot be visited after 5 pm as leopards have often been stopped after that time, so visiting during the daytime is ideal!

Lunch at Baba Café

Head to the other side of the river for a relaxing lunch at Baba café. This café is reminiscent of the hippie island days with a similar vibe. Due to it’s awesome location amongst nature, the cafe makes for a great place to have some beer and international fare.

Attractions around Anegundi

Visit temples at Anegundi only if you’re religious or into the Ramayana. We only visited these because our guide had planned today’s itinerary with no interference from us. As per us, these temples are not architecturally beautiful – just regular temples.  

• Chinthamani Temple: Chintamani Temple is a Shiva Temple visited by Ramayana enthusiasts. It is the spot from where Ram aimed and shot his arrow to kill Baali during his fight with Sugreev. The temple is worth considering for all due to its epic location beside the Tungabhadra.
• Pampa Sarovar Temple: Pampa Sarovar is a sacred lake for Hindus – one of the 5 sacred lakes (Panch Sarovar) in Hindu mythology. The temple is constructed where Pampa (a form of Parvati) punishes herself to show her dedication to Shiva. If you’re not into mythology, consider visiting only from November to December when lotuses are in full bloom at Pampa Sarovar Lake.
• Anegundi Fort: The Anegundi with its many gates, tombs and temples (Ganesha Cave Temple and Durga Temple) is a sprawling fort that once used to guard the region.

Another famous spot is Sanapur Lake. Again, we did not find it worth the visit. This is where cliff jumping took place. However, per our guide cliff jumping is now banned as several people have lost their lives while at it. If you wish to cliff jump, do ask the locals before attempting it. We did a coracle ride here too but it paled in comparison to the one on the Tungabhadra. Do a coracle ride here only in the Monsoons when coracle rides in the Tungabhadra are not possible due to the strong current.

You can do all the things mentioned above if they appeal to you. Else, simply drive around the area through lush paddy fields. This is the bit I loved. Riding a bike here (if available) is an excellent option!

Anjaneya Hill

This hill is known to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman! There is a Hanuman Temple on top of the hill which takes about 2 hours to climb through a well-defined shaded path. Check the sunset time on google and start your hike up well in time to be able to explore the temple and see a spectacular sunset from the top!

This brings us to the end of the three days Hampi itinerary. If you have more time on hand you can consider visiting the  Krishna Temple near Kamalapur, the Underground Shiva Temple  or the  Tungabhadra Dam  at a distance of 27 km from Hampi. The dam’s premises has a Japanese style garden that makes for a pleasant visit.

Read our post on the 25 best places to visit in and around Hampi for more details or options for things to do.

Hampi Travel Tips

Photography : Drones, tripods, high-resolution cameras, and any out of the ordinary camera equipment is not allowed at Hampi’s sites. We carried our DSLR without issues, however. You aren’t even allowed to sketch, paint or draw at the sites. Per our knowledge, you can do all of this on the other side of the river – Anegundi and surrounds.

Guide : Hire a guide to understand the ancient ruins better. A full day guide cost around 2000 per day but due to COVID, some may ask about 1500 per day. However, while they make navigating the ruins of Hampi a breeze and make you understand the structures better, they also kind of put pressure on you to hurry up in order to show you as much as possible.

If you’re okay with that, do use full day guides. Honestly, we felt it was a bit rushed. 

Photographers, bloggers and vloggers would be better off hiring guides at specific structures. Follow this itinerary and hire guides at Vithalla Temple, Royal Center, and for the Matunga Hill hike. 

When hiring one, ensure he/she speaks your language fluently. Ours wasn’t very fluent in English or Hindi so sometimes it got very difficult to understand what he was explaining.

Google Maps : Download offline maps of the area on Google Maps to navigate easily. The internet is quite sketchy in Hampi.

Cash : Keep cash on you to pay for things like tender coconut, sugar cane juice, entry tickets, guide hire, coracle ride etc. While UPI is widely accepted, it doesn’t work a lot of times because of bad internet.

Shoes : Wear comfortable walking or sport shoes as you’ll be walking all day and hopefully even hiking. 

Clothes : Wear comfortable clothing in Hampi. There are no restrictions on what you wear to temples. However, it will be better to dress appropriately (cover midriff and knees) to not hurt the religious sentiments of worshippers. 

Day Bag Items : Important things to carry in your day bag for exploring Hampi:

• Sunscreen : Physical sunscreen without a white cast
• Some light snacks to eat in case you get hungry midway – We always carry Whole Truth Minis for a quick but healthy bite.
• A filled reusable water bottle (at least one each per person). We particularly like collapsible bottles to save space or the thermos type bottlesto keep water cold .
• A reusable straw for drinks on the trip. Think tender coconut and sugar cane juice. Yum!

Hope this Hampi travel guide mentions all that you were looking for. Comment below if you thought our Hampi travel blog post was helpful. Also, do tell us if we are missing any information you’d like mentioned in the post.

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1 thought on “A Complete Hampi Travel Guide 2021: Hampi Itinerary & Tips”

Nice blog about hampi, worth reading your blog. Nice information you have provided about hampi. If you want stay in this beautiful place, connect with us to book a luxurious stay at evolveback hampi

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Culturally Immersive & Responsible Travel

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Visit the Old Ruins of Hampi (Updated for 2021)

About this blog: This Hampi Travel Guide presents you with evocative pictures and travel tales from the ruins of ancient Hampi, Karnataka, a state from south of India. This article also aims to help you in planning to explore the ruins of Hampi during 3 days trip to Hampi. You may tweak the plan a bit and adjust it to a 3 days/ long weekend itinerary for Hampi. Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site for immense historical value and a weekend destination from Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa . Often referred to as India’s answer to ruined historic city of Pompeii, Hampi evokes intriguing memories of the days of kings and queens and kingdoms and invasions and battlefields. It is one of the safest destinations of solo women travelers in India.

This is the only Hampi travel guide you need to plan your trip to Hampi, choose a safe and nice stay and explore the old ruins of Vijayanagar Empire.

Traveling to Hampi: Destination at a glance!

Quick travel tips to keep in mind for this Hampi travel guide .

• Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site in Karnataka, India. Please be respectful while exploring Hampi’s historic ruins.
• Multiple ruins of ancient Hindu temples and royal complex dating back to the Vijayanagara empire of 1500 CE.
• Hampi is a great weekend destination from Bangalore, Goa and Hyderabad .
• Easily accessible by domestic flight and train and bus. Road trips to Hampi from Bangalore is rewarding as well.
• Hampi is a safe destination for solo female travelers. I solo traveled to Hampi in July and had absolutely no issue.
• Cost of traveling in Hampi (moderate/budget): Hampi is suitable for backpacking to mid-budget travels. Hampi is not very expensive.
• Offbeat tourist attractions in Hampi: nature trails, bear sanctuary, hippie vibes at the hippie island of Hampi, birding at the backwaters of Tungabhadra, Tungabhadra river, ideal for school excursion.

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The Rise of Hampi as a Tourist Destination

…from the Numbness of History

Hampi has been featured on the New York time’s list of best destinations around the world in the recent past. Ever since, millions have swarmed into the bouldered vast pastures of the ruined wilderness that Hampi is! Located at Central Karnataka in the southern part of India, Hampi is a world UNESCO heritage site. It safeguards the ruins of the medieval Vijayanagara empire..

However, my introduction to Hampi dates back to the 90s while reading Sunil Ganguly’s Bijaynagarer Heere (The Diamond of Vijayanagara), from Kakababu, a fantasy series for children written in Bengali. I knew of the ancient temple that plays the sound of flute if you know how to tune into its flanking pillars, or whatever remains of them. The never ending secret tunnels, the lure of hidden chests filled with gold and gems, the melancholy of an empire’s heydays: Hampi, the capital city of the erstwhile Vijayanagara has buried innumerable secrets by the banks of river Tungabhadra.

Archaeological survey of India has been operational in the fields of Hampi, still excavating historical anecdotes from an era bygone. Recently, there was a news of unearthing a few KGs worth of gold and precious stones.

Physically, I visited Hampi a year before NYT ranked it as the second best place to visit in the world or something like that!

My trip to Hampi revolved around unearthing and visualizing stories from the as I had experienced in the books on Hampi on balmy afternoons in Kolkata as a child. Sharadindu Banerjee’s Tungabhadrar Teere (by the banks of Tungabhadra) is another astounding piece of literary fiction set in the era. Syam Benegal’s directorial venture, “Bharat ek Khoj” based on Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Discovery of India played back in my mind as I stepped in the cradle of nature that hides Hampi from the world outside

While Hampi featured prominently in international backpacking bucket list post the NYT feature, the destination has always remained an enigma among the locals. Often hailed as the last bastion of contemporary Hindu India, Hampi’s riches and glory were insurmountable at a time when the dominos in the north of India fell at regular intervals to invaders from the northwest. Hampi scaled even greater heights in international politics. Her wealth and prosperity is known to have evoked awe and reverence among the western traders. Many compared Hampi to be a greater city than contemporary Rome. You do not have to trust my words. See the remnant of the massive monuments of Hampi and your eyes will tear up in the thought of looting!.

Hampi’s history is not as linear as two religiously empowered political parties fighting amongst each other and uprooting the defeated. Although seeing the ruins and systematic destruction of Hindu idols, for example the Lakshmi Narasimha Statue with two of his hands cut off as a part of the message, you may be tempted to overcome with rage. 

The fall of Hampi in many ways bore semblance to the final conquest of the Indian peninsula, translating to the whole of India. The south of India, with 5000 KM long coastline, enriched with wealth beyond measure sits as the crown jewel of Golden Bird, India is famously known for. Conquering the Vijayanagara dynasty of Hampi stood paramount for the political interest in those days.

Ironically anarchy prevailed and no other salient ruler could ever scale upto what Vijayanagar was.

Also read: Offbeat day trips from Leh when you are spending 5 days in Leh!

Conquests had been the order of the yesteryear’s politics. Incessant bloodbath to conquer Vijayanagara that lasted for 6 months had turned Tungabhadra river into florid red. Kings and queens fell. So did the deity inside old sanctums.

There is only one thing we say to death: Not today.

The emptiness of Vijayanagara is haunting. It is difficult to contain grief and pain as you walk on the now cobblestoned red earth, dotted with Gulmohors. In summer, the red blooms of Krishnachura caress the scorched Earth, as if mother nature still tries her best to comfort a sunken child. Gentle breeze maneuvers through sunflower fields. Tungabhadra flows fiercely at the bend of the giant boulders. Ethereal sunsets take place everyday. 

Nature agrees with Hampi, not the humans. Not any longer. 

Long before tourism boards promoted Hampi as a budding destination, people tried to rebuild the habitat but all efforts went into vain. Nature reclaimed Hampi and moved the birds, snakes and sloth bears in the capital of erstwhile Vijayanagar empire. Vijayanagara empire lives in our heart and mind. Hence, non-erasable.

Hampi, the Heart of Historic Vijayanagara Empire

When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground. 

Pardon me for consecutive references to Game of Thrones but anyone who has been an avid follower of the series will see a similar set of events unfolding in the context of Vijayanagar empire. In fact, every empire that ever stood to the gnaw of time, rose to fame and glory and kissed dirt subsequently has followed the same set of rules. 

That is how the Game is played. 

I got my closure on whys and hows for Hampi from Game of Thrones. That’s uncanny but I could have never written such a detailed travel guide without watching it!

Hampi as a place has been long standing even before the Vijayanagara empire came to be. There are references on Hampi in Indian epic of Ramayana, as Pampa-kshetra, Kishkindha-kshetra or Bhaskara-kshetra. Ashoka’s rock edifice retrieved from Bellary district of Karnataka points at Hampi’s existence too.

Vijayanagara empire came to be with rulers Harihara 1 and Bukka 1. The latter stretched the empire to the borders of Goa. Ancient inscriptions state that there was an established trade route between Goa and Vijayanagara. The Portuguese, Italians and the Moorish traders made entry to the Vijayanagara court through that waterborne pathway.  The Coracle boats are believed to be brought by the Arab traders.

Hampi grew steadfast amid turmoil in the northern frontier. By 1500 CE, historians ascribe Hampi-Vijayanagara to be the world’s second-largest medieval-era city, next to only Beijing. Hampi’s riches and landscaped metropolitan plan were described by the tradersmen from Persia and Portugal. However growing enmity with neighbouring Deccan Sultanates and continuous battles eventually plagued the city and contributed to the eventual fall of Vijayanagar Empire.

On the eventful nights of the fall of Vijayanagara, the city was pillaged, looted, burnt and the spell of destruction lives to tell the tale till date. I am writing this with a heavy heart and choked throat.  Since millenia, we have known wars to be futile but will there ever come a time, we will truly learn?

Today, Hampi is known as a UNESCO world heritage site. 

Hampi today stands as a prominent tourist destination with historical importance. Virupaksha temple, the only remaining temple of Vijayanagara empire, remains a pilgrimage spot. The fact Hampi was a part of the eminent Indian philosopher Adi Shankaracharya’s Yatra from south to north of the country made it an important pilgrimage stop.

Local schools conduct excursions in the archaeological zone. My trip to Hampi was basically a game of tailing a group of young school children who would not leave me be! I resisted, tried to change the routes and be comfortably numb in my mind, desperately seeking tranquility to immerse in the ancient ruins of Hampi. The next moment, two of these kids in indigo shorts and white shirts appear from thin air and smile! In an hour or so, I gave up.

Looking back, I feel grateful. I was not ready to see that massive scale of destruction that mad-danced in Hampi from the pages of history. We are the people who grew up in the legacy of world wars and holocaust and multiple media renditions of the same. I wish we would have known a bit of our own history as well. Say for example, the opium war of Asia?

Looking at Hampi ruins, I was reminded of the horrors of bombing Buddha statues of Bamiyan , Afghanistan .

How to reach Hampi?

By Flight: Bellary is the only domestic airport close to Hampi, located at a distance of 60 km. You may also fly into Hubli (143 KM) or JSW Vidyanagar  Airport  in Toranagallu (40 km) based on flight availability.

By train: In case you fan-girl the mighty Indian railway, trust Hospet Junction to bring you 13 km close to the ancient group of monuments in Hampi. The night train Hampi express from Bangalore makes it an easy trip. From Hospet, the rest of the country is well connected with Hampi.

Roadtrip to Hampi: Hampi is almost equidistant from Goa, Hyderabad and Bangalore, requiring a road trip journey of 6/7 hours at a stretch.

Compared to Badami, Aihole or the Pattadakal temples, road to Hampi is a treat to drive in. Roadtrip to Hampi from the three major citiesof South India remains a delightful experience.

How to plan a trip from Bangalore to Hampi?

From Bangalore, Hampi is located at a distance of 350 KM and can be reached through NH4 highway. You must not forget to stop at the Chitradurga fort en route.

There are multiple night buses that leaves Bangalore and reaches Hospet the day next. Bangalore night buses to Hampi leaves from Madiwala, Silk Board, Majestic and makes stop once in the night for washroom and food break. Carry tissue and other hygienic needs.

I took one such night bus, reached Hospet the next morning at 6 am, paid 200 rs to an Auto and reached the hotel I was staying in. I stayed at Hampi Heritage Resort and I would advice you more on the best neighborhood to stay in Hampi n the following section.

You can take the night train to Hampi from Bangalore station. Hampi Express. It reaches Hospet the next morning and is a delightful journey.

How to explore the Ancient Ruins of Hampi

Aka things to do in Hampi in 3 to 4 days. A rough guide to plan your short Hampi itinerary.

First thing first, to discover the archaeological ruins of Hampi, you need to get your hands on an illustrated map pointing at the areas open to tourists. ASI (Archaeological survey of India) is continuing excavation in Hampi at various sites and unearthing facts from the past. 

Every hostel/hotel/guest house in Hampi (or nearby areas of Anegundi and Hospet) provide the root map of hampi.

The archaeological ruins of Hampi are spread over an area of 26 sq km. There are over thousands of temple ruins and cultural anecdotes. 

You can walk that 26 sq km area of Hampi over a span of three days. There are stops to rest. Autos ply a short distance. A government bus runs frequently till Hampi Bazar from Hospet. A few coracles on the water. Using them, you may check out Hampi’s many magnificent Dravidian temple ruins, dilapidated pillars, grandiose royal+  forts, stables, the river bank at Tungabhadra, local life that endured centuries of trauma. 

If you are in a hurry, you can squeeze in all these in 2 days, or just explore the ruins on the banks of Tungabhadra river.

If you are keen, you can spend even a whole month in Hampi to read all the wall panels on temples, explore newer and lesser known avenues, and witness mesmerizing sunsets over sprawling fields of paddy. A guide said scholars come and live in Hampi for three months at a stretch.

Essential things to know before you plan your Hampi itinerary

• How to start exploring the ruins of Hampi

Roughly speaking, there are three clusters of ruins in Hampi.

1. Sacred Ruins (temple complexes)

2. Metropolitan ruins (the urban ruins where the king and his subjects resided) and

3. Riverside ruins.

You need at least 3 to 4 hours to explore each of the ruin clusters. Carry water bottle, umbrella, sun screen (enough sun shield basically), a nice walking shoe and camera. Photo opportunities are endless!

You will ideally reach the urban ruin first in case you are traveling from Hospet (I did). If you are taking a bus to Hampi Bazar (from Hospet again), you shall reach the Sacred ruins first.

• How to plan a three days trip in Hampi?

For your three days stay in Hampi, allocate each day for each of the ruins I mentioned above and end the day with one great sunset show. There are beautiful sunset viewpoints in Hampi. I shall note them down below. If you have completed sightseeing in two days, allocate one day to explore the Daroji bear Sanctuary (famous for appearing in India’s jungle hero series on discovery). You may also indulge in rock climbing sessions. 

• If you have only one day in Hampi…

Start the day early. Start with the urban ruins of Hampi and continue to the sacred ruins by the banks of Tungabhadra river. End the day with a sunset view from the Hemkuntha hill. Probably you will not be able to cross the river with a one day itinerary in Hampi however it is still worth it if you are hard pressed for time. It is a rushed and quick Hampi itinerary indeed.

• Do you need a guide to see the ruins of Hampi?

The day I reached Hampi, I met an auto driver. He took me around the ruins of Hampi and doubled as a guide very kindly. The Hampi ruins have detailed illustrations by ASI and that does the job of explaining well if you have patience to read. Unlike Fatehpur Sikri, Hampi did not have a guide center from where I could hire a local guide. It is a pity because I would not recommend solo female travelers to hire a guide without any authority. Not just in India, anywhere in the world. I suggest look up in the groups of Trip advisor forum and collect a guide’s number from the travelers in recent times.

The Must Visit Temples and Ruins at the group of Monuments, Hampi

Following table will give you a rough idea for what are the ruins you need to look for while exploring the ruins of Hampi. This is no way an exhaustive list. But these are the prominent spots. Once you are near any of the temples, you are close to a spot full of vibrancy. I will delve deep into each temple site in the next section.

Once you are inside the archaeological site in Hampi, you are almost inside an open museum. Look around and you can marvel at everything! I promise.

Best things to do when Traveling in Hampi

Important places to visit in Hampi

1. vijaya vittala temple: the stone chariot of hampi.

One of the largest temple complexes in Hampi, Vijaya Vittala houses the iconic temple where pillars play music. A guard stands, with red blood eyes, and now prevents people from trying it out themselves. Be a sweet maidan and ask him to play for you when no one is around and he might just… who knows?

Vittala temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. A lot of ravages have stripped down the temple’s shikaras and gopurams. However, the stone chariot stands tall. It even makes a feature in the new Indian currency note! Find out. 

To avoid tourists, plan you trip early on the day to Vittala Temple complex. 

At Vittala temple, an electric vehicle run by the local women will bring you to the main temple complex from the gate for a mere INR 10 payment. It was very heartening to see the local community of women taking part in tourism in Hampi.

2. Virupaksha Temple: Living Shiva Temple of Hampi

The most prominent temple from Hampi, Virupaksha temple is “living” and did not fall prey to the destruction spell. I am not entirely sure why. But I am more than glad that its Shikhara rises to the sky. 

Truth be told, Virupaksha is the heartland of Hampi. Locals, devotees, pilgrims, priests and everyone visits this temple. I have later visited the Living Chola temples in Tamilnadu and had been equally awestruck by those temple, again dedicated to Shiva. 

Daily Puja takes place in the temple. Remove your shoes. The temple has a step well attached to it.

3. Hazara Rama Temple: Epitaph of Ramayana

A rather small temple but Hazara rama is a beautiful place of worship which is believed to be a part of exclusive access to the royal family. The temple wall is inscribed with various stories from Ramayana. The school children from execution were actually reading off various Kaands from the wall. A lot like what they did with hieroglyphics in ancient Egypt . Next to it is the Dussera dibba, believed to be King’s seat from where he would be entertained.

4. The Lakshmi-Narasimha Temple: One of its kind

The first time I saw a Narasimha statue, though I grew up hearing stories of “Daitya Kule Prahlad”, was at Hampi. Looking at his hands cut off, I felt a pang in my heart. 

The Nara Simha, loosely translating Human-lion, God is another Avatar of Vishnu. He sits atop coiled Seshnag, with Lakhkhi on his Lap. 

Also read: Humans of Hampi!

5. The elephant stable and Lotus Temple of Hampi

Somehow the elephants stable did not have to suffer much from the massive destruction that otherwise reduced Hampi to rubble by the end of Vijayanagara empire.

Each elephant quarter is huge, bigger than a standard flat size of Kolkata (bad joke, sorry humans), and does not house elephants any longer. They look very pretty in front of the sprawling  green field. 

Close to the elephant stable, you have Lotus Temple, an instance of Indo-Islamic architecture. The Gombuj and curves atop the roof do bring back memories of the north. “The north remembers.”

Also look out for Jenana mahal, a queen’s bath, a step-well (Pushkarini) in the surrounding area. These ruins are in much better position compared to the temples.

6. Badavi Linga : The Big Shiva Linga

Inside a small and dark sanctum a huge Shiva Linga (the largest I had seen in Hampi) is housed close to the Narasimha temple. Ir is maintained by an elderly priest, always in a white dress. His picture is often posted on Instagram, hugging the Shivalinga.

7. Krishna temple commemorating Vijayanagar’s Win over Utkala

Opposite to the Krishna Market, stand the beautiful Krisha temple which originally housed the Balakrishna statue, now on display at the Chennai state museum.

8. Sasivekalu Ganesh, Hemkuta Hills

I overheard a guide stating, this Ganesha statue took birth from a mustard seed and is still growing. He sits atop the mother Parvati, but has overgrown her with time. A snake is wrapped around his belly to reduce his growth! This story brought a smile in my face. Gods in Hinduism are very much a part of our daily family! I an an atheist but I feel these emotions in my heart! Also check out the Kadalekalu Ganesha Ganesha nearby. Hemkuta hill temple complex has a fantastic share of small yet beautiful ancient temples dating back to Vijayanagar empire.

9. Anjaneya Hill and Hanuman temple on top of it (believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman)

10. The Underground temple of Prasanna Virupaksha. I saw a huge lizard here!

11. Check out the Hampi museum by Archaeological Survey of India. This is particularly interesting for those conducting a research on ancient Hampi.

The Temple elephant of Hampi

At the Virupaksha Temple of Hampi, lives an old elephant named Krishna. Usual practice demands you go close to the elephant, it touches your head with the trunk, which is considered as a blessing and you feel overjoyed. I didn’t do it. In fact, I did not see the elephant also. Temple elephants in India is a long standing practice of animal cruelty. Do not go by the evocative pictures of Krishna playing with the water of Tungabhadra. It has been broken as a baby elephant.

Also read: Rameswaram, the beautiful temple town at India’s southern most tip!

The Most Beautiful Sunset Spots in Hampi

Hampi is a photographer’s delight. The gigantic boulder reflects sun rays in abundance especially during the golden hour. If you can climb a bit higher, you will often be awarded with a prized view of the water, the banks of Tungabhadra river, life on Earth and the orange ball of fire on the way down (or up, depending on time).

For a gorgeous sunset picture in Hampi, you will ideally want the Shikhara of Virupaksha temple in front and the sun going down at the background.

• Matanga Hill: the highest point of Hampi: Named after the sage from Ramayana, Matanga Hill is located close to the Achyutaraya temple at Nimbapura, near Hampi Bazaar. It is an easy climb of 30 minutes. Can be bicycled. Matanga Hill looks stunning during sunrise as well. 
• Anjanadri Hill: Believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god of Hindu religion, the hill derives its name from his mother, Anjana devi. Anjanadri hill  is located at Anegundi, so you have to cross the river and start a bit early from the sacred ruins site. 
• Hemakuta Hill: Remember the hill with ethereal lights, a forlorn tree and a small temple? That is Hemakuta hill for you! It is the easiest climb among all the sunset points mentioned above, yet gives you beautiful vistas to watch the sun go down. Hemakuta hill has brilliant photo opportunities for a Hampi sunset lovers.
• The Sanapur lake, on the Hippie island of Hampi. However, here you will find no ruins to reflect the glorious golden hour on your photo, hence not my favourite.

Word of caution: In case you are venturing out late in the evening, alone or at the wee hours of the day, be cognizant of the fact leopard attack is a possibility here. Try to stick to a group lest you become a palatable dinner to the wild cat!

Other places to click great photographs in Hampi!

• Riverside waterborne culture of Hampi
• The coracle rides, specially during golden hour and you are somewhere at a height camturing this!

Hampi Bazar

• The paddy fields (specially the sunflower field)
• The shepherd with his cows by the boulders. You will find this imagery multiple times in Hampi.

Also read: The ancient doors of Zanzibar!

The Hippie Island in Hampi

The “other” side of the river is loosely referred to as Hippie island in Hampi. During monsoon, this piece of land often gets submerged in water. 

The real name of Hippie island is Virupapura Gadde. It is a rather cheap place to stay, eat good and varied food items, explore the ruins on the other side and.. Ahem… smoke weed (?). I have only heard rumors of the latter part. 

Hampi island or Hippie island is painfully beautiful. Lush green rolling fields filled with seasonal crops kissing the horizon. You climb atop a hill and experience one of the most magical sunsets in life. Life easily gets attuned to the slow, peaceful and laid back vibes of the Hippie island.  

Hippie island is dotted with relics from the past. Each of them referring to various “Kaand” of ramayana. All of them invariably point towards the realm of the Vijayanagara era. The Durga temple, The anjaneya temple atop the hill, Pampa sarovar lake adjacent to the Laxmi temple. Plenty to explore in this part of Hampi as well. Local frequent here compared to tourists.  

Compared to guest houses close to Hampi Bazar, Hippie island is far cheaper. Time is a luxury which is found in abundance at this place. ATMs are a rare sight. Cottages with thatched roofs double as guest houses. Cicadas claim the land at night. 

Sanapur lake is only 4 KM away from Hampi island, an easy bike ride. 

Also read: Bonedi barir Durgapuja in Kolkata! the century old houses of Kolkata and how they celebrate Durgapuja.

Also read: How to spend a long weekend in Goa?

Offbeat Things to do in Hampi

Rock climbing in hampi.

With steep profound boulders all around, it is a no-brainer that Hampi will be a favorite spot among the rock climbers. While the local boys easily climb atop these gigantic rocks raising heads aiming for the sky, we would recommend you the tourist signing up for a rock climbing session. There are plenty of schools at the Anegundi site. Your home-stay is likely to be able to arrange for one. You can rent gears as well. 

Where did the boulders come from in hampi? A part of the Eastern Dharwar Craton, the Hampi boulders are now decaying remains of once large monolithic mountains. However Hindu mythology associates them with a dramatic battle between Bali and Sugriv, the monkey kings. Another reference to Ramayana. 

Explore the ancient Rock Paintings in Hampi

Ask your guide to show you the caves decked up with ancient rock paintings. Locals believe these paintings go back to the age of Ramayana. I am not a historian so “I doubt everything” nonetheless it is worth noting the guide’s enthusiasm. It is as if he is unraveling magic! This is off the regular touristy tracks and difficult to find by your own.

Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Once upon a time when humans had abandoned Hampi for good and nature prevailed at large, regular residents of the rocks and caves were wild boars, leopards and sloth bears. With tourists now revisiting parts of Hampi and business sprawling, man-animal conflict was on the rise. Government further assigned a specific area for wild animals. Daroji Bear Sanctuary is one small national park that houses close to 100 sloth bears in it, safe from human habitat and tourist places. The bear sanctuary is open from 2 pm to 5 pm. Sloth bears often come out and lick jaggery off the boulders. You need to pay INR 500 for the entry fee. Go with a camera or binocular for better view. 

Explore the Sanapur lake

If you love being close to the water, visit Sanapur lake side. It is close to the famous Hippie island in Hampi. There is a place for cliff jumping at the Sanapur lake. They might scare you saying there are crocodiles in the lake but I heard this is to scare off the drunkards only.

Ankasamudra bird sanctuary

Located 40 km off the ruins of Hampi, Ankasamudra is an upcoming birding destination in the state of Karnataka. During monsoons, trees are submerged in water and it makes for an ethereal sunset spot. You need to drive to this place and we recommend you have your own car.

Wander off to a nearby village

At the risk of repeating myself, I have never seen people anywhere else in India as amiable as those in Hampi. I wandered off the paved route in more numbers than ever. Stopped by the sunflower fields. Stopped by the paddy fields. Could never get enough of the children frolicking around the gigantic boulders. I often forgot the route map provided and the trail leading to the temple ruins.

The abundance of life makes up for the eerie emptiness at Hampi monuments. Those remain the most prized moments from my trip to Hampi. 

Proceed further and explore more beyond Hampi

Close to Hampi, there lives a few more astounding ancient monuments. You can explore them if you have a couple of days more to explore. I have not done this yet but this remains high up my bucket list:

• Badami: Cave temples from fifth century
• Pattadakal: UNESCO world heritage temple
• Bijapur: Famous for the Gol Gombuj
• There is also a winery by KRSMA estate close to Hampi.
• Lepakshi: cluster of ancient Hindu temples
• Belgaum: famous for the sweet named Kunda in Karnataka

Visit Tungabhadra Dam and adjacent garden

Tungabhadra dam is also known as Pampa Sagar. It has an adjoining garden and sunset is beautiful here. Visit during monsoon to see the dam in full prowess. I loved this since I am a fan-girl of rivers around the world !

Also read: Offbeat yet fun things to do in Goa!

Public Transport in Hampi

You can not compare Hampi’s public transport system with that of a large metro city, say Bangalore or even Udupi. Yet, if you plan ahead, you will be able to explore Hampi without renting a car. 

Rent a Bike in Hampi

If you love the freedom of having a car yet do not want to shell out as much money, I suggest rent a bike. Renting a bike in hampi is similar to that of renting a bike in Goa to explore her beaches . It is as cheap as INR 300 a day and petrol is on your own. If you are two people exploring Hampi, this is a very sweet deal for a day. 

Cycling in Hampi

Check with your guest house and you may be able to rent a bicycle. Hampi roads are nicely paved and perfect for cycling however Sun scorches bright at times and that is stressful. Carry water and sun guard accordingly.

Hire an Auto Rickshaw

This is the easiest way to go around in Hampi. Oftentimes, the auto drivers know what tourists want and they deliver exactly that and even more. I paid INR 600 for an auto ride back in 2017 for 6 hours. I think prices will increase now but a good bargain might just land you a good deal. For shorter distance, an Autoride must not charge more than INR 70 to 100.

The Bus for Hampi Site-seeing

There is a government bus that runs from Hospet to Hampi every 15 minutes from morning 8 am. The last bus leaves Hampi Bazar at 6 pm. It costs a mere INR 15 bucks and drops you at the Hampi ruins you need to visit. Go to the conductor and pay your fare before taking a seat. That is how they operate in Karnataka.

Boat to cross the other side of Tungabhadra River

The round boats, coracles, mostly cater to tourists. For a cheaper transfer to the other bank of Tungabhadra river, trust a water taxi. Ferries are close to Hampi Bazar. A one way ferry transfer is not more than INR 50. The last ferry leaves at 5:30 pm. After which, you need to pay a pricey fare to an auto to cross the bridge and visit the other bank.

Also read: Bonedi Barir Durgapuja in Kolkata!

A foodie’s Guide to Hampi

Guide to the best cafes and restaurants in Hampi

In Hampi, like the rest of south India, you will be served with piping hot Dosa and crispy fried vada and delectable steamed idli almost at every corner. Add to that a spread of tropical fruit. Green coconuts. Grilled corn served with a side of fiery hot green chutkey. And peanuts. These are the regular street foods in Hampi. I find them filling, hygienic since they are mostly cooked in front of me, and surprisingly affordable. 

For a good dine in experience, I recommend the following restaurants. 

At the sacred ruins side of the river

• Tamarind Tree
• The Mango Tree 
• Funky Monkey 
• Sagar Hotel
• Tibetan Kitchen

At the Anegundi side of the river

• The Laughing Buddha
• The Goan Corner 
• Ujwal Sunrise Cafe
• Sasi restaurant (with great view of the river)

A few must try dishes in Hampi: Mirchi Bhaji (fried chillies), Filter Kaapi (the iconic local coffee of Karnataka), Appe, banana flower curry (local delicacy in Hampi). 

Over the time, Hampi has developed an eclectic gourmet culture. A lot of the credit goes to inbound traffic coming all the way from Goa. You will be now finding restaurants catering Tibetan cuisine, Israeli cuisine, even Pizza at certain places. 

The area surrounding Archeological ruins of hampi is a no meat and no alcohol zone. For meat, fish and alcohol you need to visit Anegundi or Hospet. Anegundi is closer and serves fresh catch from the river. 

In lieu of branded alcohol, please do not drink local moonshine unless you know what you are getting into. 

Please note many of the restaurants, especially those close to the Hippie village remain closed during monsoon, thanks to overflowing Tungabhadra. Plan your trip accordingly. 

Best time to visit Hampi

Hampi is sweaty hot and Humid for all the year around.

It is best to visit Hampi during the dry season, post monsoon. From October end to February is the perfect time to explore the old ruins of Hampi and even go for bouldering. 

However, I visited Hampi during July/August. I was lucky that it did not rain even though the sky was overcast. Many restaurants, guests houses are closed during peak monsoon. So do call them up before visiting. Muddy roads and uneven murky trails could be a challenge too. Rock climbing in Hampi is a distant possibility during monsoon.

Where to stay in Hampi

The place you choose to stay in can make or break your experience in Hampi. Check out Booking (.) com to find preferred stay in Hampi at good value prices.

Heritage Resort Hampi, somewhere midway between Hampi Bazar and Hospet

I chose to stay at the Heritage Resort Hampi . (Check out here ). I will list out the pros and cons. 

Beautiful stay at a villa with a pool and decent but pricey in-house restaurant. Highly recommend this place if you are traveling with family and have a mid budget estimate. A short walk from the main road and easy to use public transport as well. Upscale stay near Hampi.

Far off from the sunset spots. 

You are better off to stay at Hampi heritage resort with a car. Though I did not have a car and I could easily access public transport of Hampi.

Absolutely nothing to do here at night.

Similar Luxury and Upscale properties near Hampi

• Evolve Black
• Hyatt Place
• Hampis Boulder Resort

Hampi Bazaar, in short, is the nerve center of today’s Hampi. Many small guest houses are located close to Hampi market. Some of them have amazing views over the river. Hampi does not have any hostel per say but these guest houses have similar facilities and prices.

Pros of staying close to Hampi Bazar:

You are close to the market place hence you get to see a lot of people. Very close to the archaeological ruins. Walk-able distance. Great for morning photo-shoot.

Cons of staying close to Hampi Bazar:

People. A lot of them. I would just leave it to that!

Best guest houses to stay close to Hampi Bazar:

• Gopi guest house
• Archana River View
• Padma Guest House
• Chilloutbamboo Guste house (super cheap)
• Gopi Plantation stay 

Hampi island

Hampi island is idyllic and laid back as I had described before. Staying here automatically translates to staying close to nature. 

Less people. Peaceful. Really cheap options. Away from local tourists. Nature reigns. 

Nothing much to do at night. Limited option to go out after sundown. You have to cross the river to reach Hampi island. Crossing river makes you time bound since the last ferry leaves at 5:30 pm. After that, you need to take a long turn and detour to reach the bridge. That said, Hampi island also has some of the best subset spots in Hampi.

• Happy Treat Hostel & Cafe in Hampi
• Drunken Monkey
• Tutti Hampi Chattai Cottages (My favorite from the list)
• Gowri Guest House
• Hotel Gowri

If you love living close to a city and can not let go of the urban pleasures of life, Hospet is your choice. It is also great value for money. Every morning, a bus eaves Hospet for Hampi. The journey is for 30 minutes. It is a good idea to make Hospet your base and travel to and fro to Hampi. You will always get a return bus from Hampi Bazar to Hospet. You can easily rent a bike as well. Hospet has many hotels and restaurants close t the bus station.

Camping in Hampi is allowed at designated camping stations only. You can not and should not camp anywhere in Hampi since the group of monuments is a protected area and often frequented by wildlife at night.

Things to know before Planning a Visit to Hampi

Timing for visiting the temples and ruins.

Most of the temples in Hampi are open from sunrise to sunset, from 6 in the morning till 6 at night, roughly. None lives in the archaeological zone and you will be asked to leave premises after sundown by the security guards. Leave. The rocks and old lakes are deserted at night by humans but not by the sloth bears or the leopards. I know I am repeating these words but this is very important.

In the afternoon, there is a recess time from 1 pm to 2:30 pm. Avoid entering the temples at this time and get done with your lunch break (or experience nature’s bounty around Hampi).

What is the entry fee for Hampi temples?

To enter the temples of Hampi, you are not required to pay anything. Maybe a slight charge if you are carrying a camera. However, a few temple complexes do charge a minimal fee (less than a USD) per person. This ranges from INR 30 to INR 50 and often comes with an electric car plying you for a few KM distance. I think it is worth it.

Follow a respectable dress-code for Hampi

There is no set dress code in Hampi however I strongly recommend to dress up modestly. 

These are ruins but these are temples and heavily revered amongst the locals. A few of the temples are worshipped till date. You need to cover from shoulder to knees and enter the sanctum. 

In rural India, modest clothing can help you cross the bridge easily and foster true friendship which leaps the curious first impression. “Extra” skin show can bring a lot of unnecessary attention and that at least makes me feel uncomfortable. 

Besides, the Sun is horrid in Hampi. You need to cover up to save your skin a few unwanted blisters and rashes ( I do). 

I always carry a scarf during my travels. A scarf has many utilities from cleaning my camera lens to wiping sweat to saving my modesty which outrages deep seated patriarchy. Everywhere. EVERYWHERE around the globe! 

There was no rule for barring entry to followers of different religions. I had seen this practice of entry allowed for Hindu only in the temples of Bhaktapur in Nepal , another UNESCO site on the ancient silk route and Madurai temple in Tamilnadu.

Potable water in Hampi

You can fill up drinking water at various spots. One place I know is close to Virupaksha temple. They charge you INR 2 for a liter of water bottle. This saves a whole lot of single use plastic bottles.

Festivals of Hampi

The might and splendor of the ancient Vijayanagara empire is remembered through Hampi Utsav or Vijaya Utsav. The festival takes place every year in winter and date and time are announced on the Karnataka tourism website. Do not miss out Janapada Kalavahini, celebration of folk dance and other artistic performances. 

Mobile Network is bleak

Internet /wifi /smooth mobile network is still a luxury in Hampi. Specially applicable if you choose to stay at the riverside cottages and small guest houses. Please adjust accordingly.

No Meat and No alcohol Zone

Hampi archaeological site is a meat free and alcohol free zone. You may get some egg though for a meal.

Women on period/ carrying leather products inside a temple

Many people frown if you are a woman and on your period and entering temples. Sometimes, it is explicitly mentioned. Carrying a leather bag is not permissible also since most of the leather is derived from cow skin. And cows are holy in this part of the world.

Prasad/ food offerings from the temple

Many of Hampi’s 2000 odd temple runs are “living”. Worship does take place here every day. In case you are visiting one and offered an “offering”, a morsel of food, accept that with gratitude. It is an easy way to show respect and assimilate with the locals. It can be a sweetmeat or a banana. Do NOT throw this. 

Photo Etiquette

Asking for permission will take you a long way!

While locals in Hampi are the cordial lot, know your limit. Photographing women taking a bath by the riverside is not culturally acceptable in India. Before you click a picture of a man performing a Puja, ask for permission if you can click him. More often than not, it is awkward for the uninitiated to face a camera lens in between regular errands. This holds exceptionally true as you venture in the local habitat of Hampi, off regular tourist trail. 

Things to be aware of to be safe in Hampi: 

Do not take a guide if you think he is being unnecessarily pushy. 

Do not venture into the road at night since leopard sighting is a regular thing here. Snakes too.  

You have probably seen a few movies already which were based in Hampi. Rowdy Rathore (Bollywood), The Myth (Jackie Chan starter from Hollywood) are some of the prominent movies in the list. 

An Approximate Budget for your Hampi trip

Set aside INR 300 for food and INR 500 for lodging. Another INR 200 for using pubic transport and miscellaneous. This is the bare minimum you need to spend in Hampi on a daily basis.

Hampi is not an expensive area even though nowadays it is overrun with tourists (I mean pre lockdown). The backpackers’ huts or guest houses are mostly budget friendly and of great value for money. Think less than INR 1000 per night.

If you hire an auto rickshaw for local commute, and they are found aplenty, you are expected to pay not more than 600 rs a day. For shorter commute, the price is even lesser. If you are lucky enough to catch the government bus that goes from Hospet to Hampi Bazar every day, multiple times during sunny hours, you will pay not more than INR 20. That deal is the sweetest!

The Coracle rides being a touristy thing will charge you more than the regular boats that locals use to cross Tungabhadra river. Look for the local ferries.

Bargain hard when in Hampi. Locals are helpful, honest and friendly. Those associated with tourism business will try to charge a higher price but once you settle on a good price, you will remember their hospitality for long.

If you are willing to eat food from street-side vendors, you will be surprised at the price. Its affordable and decently hygeinic. For eating at the established restaurants, prepare to shell out 300 to 500 INR per meal per person. In case your (local) driver is taking you to a dining place, chances are his meal will be complimentary from the restaurant.

FAQs about planning a trip to Hampi

1. is hampi a safe place for travel.

I traveled in Hampi as a solo female traveler. I dropped off the bus midway to shoot sunset by a forlorn water-body. On the way back, I found no bus or auto to get back to my destination. An auto plying locals stopped midway and gave me a lift. He did not even charge me money. When I asked why so, he said, “Why are you walking alone?” I assume people are concern for solo travelers, specially female, being solo at forlorn places and goes out of the way to help you.

Just do not venture alone at extreme off the route and you will have a great time in Hampi. Women I met in Hampi were always extra loving and extra caring, specially when they see a “madam” walking alone with a camera. Forever grateful to those smiling faces who invited me to share a plate with them at the picnic spots. Women in rural India are incredible and more. There lies the soul of my big old beautiful country. Period.

2. What is the language spoken at Hampi?

Locals speak Kannada. They are Kannadiga. They also understand English (mostly who are associated with tourism) and Hindi too.

3. Does Hampi have a beach?

Hampi does not have a beach. The hippie island in Hampi is just the other bank of Tungabhadra river which has lesser ruins, excluded from the archaeological zone and is dotted with a number of affordable guest houses.

4. Can we cover Hampi in 2 days?

It is best if you allot at least three days to Hampi to see all of the tourist attractions it has on offer. If time is short, you may also explore Hampi in a quick 2 days visit. f you are rushed, we recommend taking a guide!

5. Where else I can go from Hampi?

From Hampi, you may go on and explore the old old ruins and temples of Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal temples (another astounding UNESCO world heritage site in India).

6. What should I wear in Hampi?

Unless you are entering the temple sanctums, you are good with normal shirt and pant or any short of western wears. However, keep in mind this is rural India and excessive skin show is frowned upon. My number one tip for traveling safe in India would be to try and blend in with the locals as much as you can! Please remove your footwear before entering a temple complex . Even when it is ruined. Please do this. I can not emphasis enough on this. This is like coming to my house and not removing shoe.

7. What is the best time to visit Hampi?

Hampi is hot and humid all the year around however in Indian winters, humidity level is tolerable. I would suggest plan a visit to Hampi from November to February.

8. Is it okay to smoke weed in Hampi?

I have heard the hippie island is (in)famous for weed and smoking in many backpackers’ group. However, I do not smoke myself and this is a criminal offence in India according to IPC. So, do your math!

I hope this Hampi travel guide serves the purpose and helps you plan a solo trip (or with family) to this astounding place of historical importance. You can also check out the following places in Karnataka.

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25 Responses

What an interesting place. So many things to see and experience. Thanks for sharing this special part of the country with us.

Oh your photos are so lovely. I have not heard of this place, I would love to visit. We want to get back to this region and spend more time…hopefully soon we will all be able to travel again. Great piece. I’ll save it for future reference.

Please give option to share in what’s app

Hi Selvi. Thank you. I will add that tight now 🙂

What a detailed description of the place. Loved it. One can plan out the travel easily with your tips. I loved the in and around places of Hampi. I always felt that it has only architectures. I need to put this on my bucket list.

Wow!! so many great things and amazing pictures.Thanks for sharing this.

Hi Madhurima,

This is such a great post. I really love reading about India. It is such an amazing country and I also love Indian people. They are so kind, nice and humble people. I was in India this year for two months. I was mostly traveling in South India and I didn’t visit Hampi. I got to learn about it too late. I met foreigners who stayed there for over a week because they loved it so much. After I’d heard so many good things about Hampi, I wanted to go there and explore it. But because of the coronavirus, I had to leave India.

I will definitely remember your guide about Hampi when I’m in India next time.

All the best, Diana

This post is so amazing & so thorough! I feel like I’ve been to Hampi now… but it looks so amazing that I do hope to visit in person one day. Pinned & saving this post for later for India travel inspo.

What an epic post, an excellent guide. I was really happy for the trip down memory lane. I visited Hampi around 13 years ago (probably before it was on the NYT’s list!) and absolutely loved it. The temples, river, sunset…such a special place.

Great post with loads of useful info and beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing

Never been to India but it is so high on my bucketlist. Want to go there next year, Hampi looks amazing!

What a thorough post! I hope to make it to Hampi! Pinned this post for future reference 🙂

What a wonderfully thorough guide! And such beautiful photos, I pinned it for later 🙂 Thanks!

This was such an interesting read and comprehensive guide. I’m going to save it to come back to and read again there is so much detail! Thank you for sharing, I now want to visit all the ruins at Hampi. Your photos are so beautiful.

Beautiful photos! India has been firmly on my bucket list for a long time. I hope to make it out there soon!

Wow – looks absolutely breath-taking! Just look at those details.

Wow! What a detailed guide! I’ve not travelled to India, so I’ve not done much research. Hampi sounds incredible though. And you’re pictures of the ruins and surroundings are spectacular!

I had never heard of Hampi before reading this post – it looks fantastic! Hampi is now on my India must visit list!

Wow! Thank you for all the thorough information. Great tip about how to respectfully dress there. Thank you for gathering all this info in one place.

What a great in depth guide! Love the photo of the girls with the flowers in their hair! Thanks for sharing!

Wow! This is seriously comprehensive! Thank you for all of the information. I love it when I stumble on your posts. So much great inspiration.

Oh wow I’ve been to South India so many times but never heard of these ruins! They look amazing and I just might detour to Karnataka the next time I’m headed there!

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This is absolutely gorgeous. Dying to go now that we can travel again

Definitely adding to my list for when I (finally!!) travel to India 🙂

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26 Places To Visit In Hampi

Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi is a historical and mythological city in the Bellary district of Karnataka. A dynamic and dramatic place, Hampi is dotted by several temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, and treasury buildings that randomly pop up.

The rich cultural heritage of the place and its stories of prosperity armed with its spectacular landscape make Hampi a truly deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History of Hampi:

(C) Portrait Whiskey

Hampi is full of stories both from the historical past as well as from the mythological anecdotes. The history of the place gradually mingles with the folklore and then subtly blends with mythology. As per the historical evidence, Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire that was established by Saint Vidyaranya in 1336 AD with the help of two of his disciples, Hakka Raya and Bukka Raya. From 1323 to 1565 for almost 200 years, four dynasties ruled over the place and made the Vijaynagar empire one of the richest and famous empires. However, the empire was brutally attacked by the Deccan Sultans during 1565. They looted and ransacked the city for almost six months leaving only mass destruction everywhere. The glorious city gradually lost its strategic importance and became a ghost city.

Best time to visit:

Hampi can be visited all-round the year. However, October to February is considered to be the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and great for roaming around the city. You also can visit the place during monsoon, but you have to be careful walking on the boulders as they become quite slippery. If you want to know more about the rich culture of Kannadigas, you must visit Hampi during Vijaya Utsav which is held during the first week of November, for 3 days.

This festival is also known as Hampi utsav and is the grandest of all the festivals celebrated in this region.

In this article, Priyanka has talked about her beautiful vacation to Hampi. You'll enjoy it.

How to reach:

Hampi is well-connected to different places of the country via road, rail, and air.

Hubli Airport is the closest domestic aerodrome to Hampi. It is approximately 166 km away from the main city. Bangalore Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 350 km from Hampi.

The nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet which is about 13 km away. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi.

Hampi is well connected with major cities and towns of Karnataka by bus services. Several Govt., private, and tourist buses ply regularly from neighboring cities and towns.

If you are a backpacker, this travel guide about Hampi is just for you.

Getting Around Hampi:

(C) Adarsh Valamary

The real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. You will get bicycles for rent at a very cheap rate, around Rs. 100 per day without gear and Rs. 150 per day with gear. You can also get moped for rent at Rs. 200 per day. However, you will not get scooty and bikes for rent at the temple side of Hampi. At the opposite side of the river, you may get scooty and bikes for rent at Rs.250-400/- per day depending upon your vehicle.

Also, you can take auto rickshaws to see the various places in Hampi. It may cost you around Rs. 1200 per day.

If you're short on time, this two-day itinerary can help you make the most of your time.

Do you want to learn more about the places to visit in Hampi? Here is a list of top 26 places to visit in Hampi to make your holidays remarkable.

1. Virupaksha Temple

Sree virupaksha temple.

(C) Adarsh Sudheesan

Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is thought to be India's oldest functioning temple. The temple is built in such a way that the main entrance faces east and there are two courtyards within it. A statue of Nandi with three heads greets you as soon as you enter the temple. In the centre, there is a pillared hall known as the Ranga Mandapa.

Timing: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm.

2. Monolithic Bull

The Monolith Bull, or Nandi, is a great piece of ancient architecture situated in a two-story pavilion near the east end of the Hampi Bazaar. This huge structure, which mythologically is the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is placed just opposite to the famous Virupaksha Temple. This Monolithic Bull, although partially mutilated, exhibits a coarse style of carving. The statue is so beautiful that it attracts a large number of visitors every day.

Timings: One can visit the Monolithic Bull at any given time of the day.

3. Vijaya Vitthala Temple

Vijaya vitthala temple.

(C) Siddhesh Mangela

The Vijaya Vittala Temple, built in the 15th century, is the largest of all historical sites in Hampi. This humungous temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is the best places to visit in Hampi. There are fantastic stone structures all around, and the pillars here appear as if they are playing music. The magnificent stone chariot demonstrates remarkable ingenuity and the elegance of architecture's imagination, and it is true architectural greatness of Hampi. The architecture of this temple dates back to the Dravidian era and reflects South Indian traits.

Timings: The doors of Vijaya Vittala Temple are open from morning 08:30 am to evening 18:00 pm.

4. Matanga Hill

Matanga hill.

(C) Rakesh Thanikachal

Out of all the places to visit in Hampi, Matanga Hill is the one which is most talked about. It is Hampi's highest peak and a magnificent location for travel photographers to get aerial views of Hampi. North portion of this hill terminates into Tungabhadra River, where you can visit the Kodanda Rama temple, another sacred site. A twisting valley with a zigzag Turthu canal may be found to the south of this peak. A hiking trail passes through the low-lying northern part and leads directly to Hampi market.

Timings: There are no specific timings to climb on the Matanga Hills. Tourists, on the other hand, make it a point to climb this hill early in the morning to see the sunrise and then return later in the evening after sunset.

5. Zenana Enclosure

Zenana enclosure.

(C) Nomadic Joy

Zenana Enclosure is a vast property with thick walls that was once thought to be a private retreat for the Vijayanagara Kingdom's royal ladies. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction of this place. You can enter by either the northern or north-eastern entrances. The Zenana Enclosure has three watchtowers, one each on the eastern, south-eastern, and northern sides of this remarkable building. The entire building is built in an Indo-Islamic style.

Timings: This place is open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

6. Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal

Lotus mahal hampi.

(C) Nandhu Kumar

Lotus Mahal, considered as one of the most attractive places to visit in Hampi, manifests a stunning architectural design. The central dome is designed like the bud of lotus, and the balcony and passages look like its petal. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting and Indo architectural style. The palace is surrounded by 24 pillars that provide support to this magnificent structure.

Timing: The Lotus Mahal Hampi is open for visitors from morning 08:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

7. Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Sri hanuman temple.

(C) Daniel Haupstein

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is present at a distance of around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman and is part of a cave on the top of a hill. The Tungabhadra River also runs through the hill's steps. Lord Hanuman can be seen here in a deep state of devotion. The serene and picturesque ambience of this temple offers mesmerising views of sunrise and sunset, making it one of the perfect places to visit in Hampi and around.

Timing: You can visit this temple at any point during the daytime. It takes around one hour to cover your entire visit here.

8. Hippie Island

Sunset point.

Hippie Island, named by its colourful lifestyle, is among popular places to visit In Hampi. The little island of Virapapur Gadde is located across the Tungabhadra River. This island, known as a backpacker's paradise, is picturesque and popular with both residents and tourists for its laid-back atmosphere and cosy accommodations. This site is also known for hosting sunset jam sessions with musical instruments in order to create a lively party-like ambiance.

Timing: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

9. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple or Ugra Narsimha temple

Lakshmi narasimha temple.

(C) Debjani Paul

This temple is amongst the most significant and religious places to visit in Hampi, also known as the Ugra Narsimha temple. Lord Narasimha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is half-man and half-lion. The figure of Lord Narasimha is seated in a Yoga pose atop a serpent coil with seven heads. This statue has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap. It will take you around an hour to an hour and a half to complete your visit here.

Timings: You can easily make your way inside Lakshmi Narasimha Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

10. Badavilinga Temple

Badavilinga temple.

Badavilinga Temple is a magnificent Shiva temple and one of Hampi's most popular tourist attractions. It is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and is home to a stunning black stone Linga. The linga is approximately 3 metres tall and dates from the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga is housed in a small stone chamber within this temple that has only one narrow opening and no ceiling.

Timings: Badavilinga Temple doors are open for the devotees from morning 05:00 am to night 09:00 pm.

11. Queen’s Bath

Queen's bath place.

(C) Sandip Kalal

This spectacular and massive old building, which was most likely a royal bathing facility for the erstwhile king and his wife, puts the clock back and is one of the major places to visit in Hampi. The beauty of the ruins of Queen’s Bath gets to you the moment you lay your eyes on the amazing architectural style of this ancient royal pool. The Queen's Bath in Hampi welcomes you with a large courtyard at the front with a dome-shaped roof, balconies with small windows, and a rectangular pool constructed of bricks in the centre with open blue sky.

12. Achyutaraya Temple

Achyutaraya temple.

(C) Karuna Akurathi

Achyutaraya Temple lies amidst the Matanga Hills and Gandhamadana. This temple was built in 1534 AD and was named after the main deity who is a form of Lord Shiva. The temple displays the architectural magnificence of Vijayanagar and houses a lovely idol of Lord Tiruvengalanatha. All towers, pillars, and walls of this beautiful temple are exquisitely carved and ornamented. The main shrine of this temple is situated amidst a rectangular concentric structure.

Timings: The doors are opened for a visit from 05:30 am to 01:00 pm. Again, in the evening, the doors are opened from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm.

13. Elephant Stables

Elephant stables.

Elephant Stables is amongst the significant tourist places to visit in Hampi for seeing little to no destruction. It's a long structure with a number of dome-shaped chambers that were formerly used to store royal elephants. The elephant stables are made up of 11 chambers, and the size of the structure astounds visitors. The entire structure is symmetrical, and the central hall tower is shaped like most of the temples in the area. This central hall has five domes on either side, reflecting an Islamic architectural style.

Timing: The doors of this Elephant Stables are open from early morning 08:30 am to evening 05:30 pm. It takes around an hour to complete your visit here.

14. Hazara Rama Temple

Hazara raama temple.

This gorgeous temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is located in the heart of a royal area. The temple's walls are eager to display the complete Ramayana story to its visitors. You can find bas relics of both Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna once you arrive. Also, don't miss out on the fragments depicting a Dasara celebration. A huge lawn, widely spread out, may be found on its northern side. The temple has two huge getaways and the interior homes to sculpted columns.

Timings: Getting to this temple is no longer a problem because the doors are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will take you less than two hours to finish your visit here.

15. Hema Kuta Hill Temple Complex

Hemakuta hill temple.

Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering an astounding view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways. Because tourists find it easier to reach the summit, this is the next best place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Mula Virupaksha Temple, part of the Hemakuta Hill Temple complex, is one of Hampi's most well-known attractions.

Timings: You can climb the Hemakuta Hill temple at any time from dawn to dusk.

16. Kadalekalu Ganesha

Kadalekalu ganesha.

(C) Avin CP

Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is a well-known South Indian holy site that houses one of the largest statues of Hindu deity Ganesha. It is located on the slopes of the well-known Hemakuta Hills, with its 4.6-meter-high monument. Lord Ganesha's tummy is shaped like a Bengal gramme, and the statue was cut out of a single enormous stone. The entire hall of the temple is home to thin granite pillars and displays fictitious characters. The Vijayanagara architectural style of art is reflected in the sculptures on these pillars.

Timings: You can visit this shrine of Lord Ganesha from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

17. Sasivekalu Ganesha

Saasivekaalu ganesha.

(C) Nisha Jagadesh

The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple, which is located on the south side of Hemakuta Hill, gets its name from the resemblance between Ganesha's belly and the mustard seed known locally as Sasivekalu. This statue was inspired by a Hindu mythological tale in which Lord Ganesha ate so much food that his tummy nearly burst. As a result, the Lord tied a snake around his stomach to safeguard it. The figure of the snake is sculpted in front of his stomach on this statue. This monolithic figure stands 2.4 metres tall and was carved from a massive boulder. The monument is surrounded by an open pavillion, which is thought to have been created in remembrance of Narsimha II, the mighty Vijaynagara ruler, by a trader from Chandragiri (modern-day Andhra Pradesh).

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

18. Stepped Tank

Stepped tank.

(C) Sumit Mangela

Stepped tanks are regarded as sacred tanks in this area, and are used for a holy bath before visiting any religious place of importance. They were once the focal points of festival events. Steps are provided on all four interior sides of the tanks, allowing you to enter and exit the water. The Royal Center's stepped tank is geometrically greater in size and is made out of green diorite with no drainage system. Black schist stones were used to build the stepped tank.

Timings: You can take a dive in the water of these stepped tanks at any time before the sun sets.

19. Hampi Bazar

Hampi bazaar.

Located in the foothill of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular places to visit in Hampi. Virupaksha Bazaar is another name for this shopping destination. When you have a free day, visit the Hampi Bazaar and try your hand at some shopping. It stretches for more than a kilometre, with pavilions on both sides of the road that runs through it. A street occupied by the local peasants can be found on the eastern side. At the east end of this Hampi Bazaar Street stands a big Nandi bull statue.

Timings: You can stop and shop at any time from morning 06:00 am to night 11:00 pm.

20. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Daroji sloth bear sanctuary.

(C) L. Shyamal

Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a protected forest area where you may see beautiful Indian Sloth bears wandering around, climbing trees, and interacting with one another. The hillocks here are tough enough, with a lot of rocks strewn about. The number of Sloth bears in this area is estimated to be approximately 120. Other animal species found here include the tiger, leopard, mongoose, pangolins, star tortoise, and spotted deer.

Timings: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm on all days.

21. Sanapur Lake

Sanapur lake.

Sanapur lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Hampi. This lake, about 5 kilometres from Hippie Island, is encircled by massive rocks and stones. Tourists come here to relax and enjoy the cold wind, making it one of the loveliest sites in the region. Cliff jumping or a coracle ride are two of the most popular activities available here. Tourists also often come here for picnics. The water here is very clean, so even a swimming session here can make you feel rejuvenated.

Timing: Open throughout the day

22. Gagan Mahal

Gagan mahal.

The Gagan Mahal was built in the 16th century. Despite the fact that large elements of this palace are lying in ruins, it is still one of the most worthwhile places to visit in Hampi. The palace is tiny and golden in colour, with adorned windows and four lovely towers encircling it. You can march to Sarovara Laxmi Temple, Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Durga Temple, and other important religious sites nearby once you arrive.

Timings: This Gagan Mahal is open for all 24 hours. It takes approximately one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here.

23. Krishna Temple

Sri krishna temple.

The triumph of Orissa's battle is symbolised by the Krishan temple of Hampi, which was built by Krishnadevaraya. This temple is one of the hand-picked places to visit in Hampi that are known for their superb sculptures all over the world. The splendour of this site demonstrates Krishnadevraya's enthusiasm for art and architecture. The original idol of this location may be found at Chennai's State Museum. Massive pillars and modest shrines surround the temple campus on all sides. A large hall can be found on the eastern side of the building. You can get a fresh banana from the banana fields that line the temple's southern perimeter.

Timings: You can seek blessings here at Krishna Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

24. Palace of Vira Harihara

Another one of the historical Places to Visit in Hampi is the Palace of Vira Harihara. This palace was once a massive edifice, with only the foundation base plans remaining within the Royal Enclosure's guarded region. The base of the former palatial structure evokes admiration and imagination of the Vijayanagar rulers' grandeur and royal lifestyle. The remaining ornate base with elaborate carvings once supported the massive superstructure of the palace, and now is lost to the ravages of time and history.

Timings: Daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

25. Archaeological Museum

(C) vkiran_2000

The Archaeological Museum of Hampi is one of the top Places to Visit In Hampi to spend some time with, despite its small size. This museum is divided into four sections, each of which houses a distinct exhibit. The first section features a model of Hampi, while the second section features sculptures and idols dedicated to the ruins of Hampi. Tools, weapons, and ammo are on display in the third area. The fourth section features items from the prehistoric and post-historic periods.

Timings: You are free to take a dig at the beauty of this Archaeological Museum from morning 10:00 am to evening 05:00 pm.

26. Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

ಶ್ರೀ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನ ವಿರುಪಾಕ್ಷ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ / underground shiva temple.

(C) Sachin Shari

This is a huge temple that is built below the ground level. The temple is very cool due to the closeness to the ground water and is very well maintained. Inside, there's a huge shiva linga to offer your prayers to. Also, one can find huge amount of bats hanging on the ceiling. Do make effort to light your phone torches and have a look at the bats-filled-ceilings. The temple is so quiet and peaceful, you might want to end up sitting there for an entire day!

Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week

You can plan an unforgettable vacation now that you know the best places to visit in Hampi. Hampi is intriguing, lovely, charming, and, of course, captivating in every way. So, what do you have to lose? Plan a trip to Hampi with your family, friends, or solo, and have a fantastic vacation.

Think we missed out on something? Tell us about it in the comments below. Or write about it here on Tripoto .

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10 Splendid Places To Visit In Hampi (+ 5 Epic Things To Do)

Did you know that Hampi was once the richest city in India with marvellous temples, trading markets and massive fortifications? It used to be one of the largest cities in the world and the capital of the Vijayanagara empire in the 14th century.

However, in 1565, the Deccan Muslim rulers destroyed the city and looted its wealth leading to the fall of the Vijayanagara empire.

What remains now is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest ‘open-air’ museum.

Huge boulders and archaeological ruins with a rich history mark the entire landscape of Hampi today. The city’s architecture is so unique that you’re bound to feel intrigued and curious as soon as you land in Hampi.

I visited Hampi with my friends for a few days, and in this guide, I walk you through the 10 splendid places to visit in Hampi   that you can include in your itinerary. I’ve also included the 5 epic things to do in Hampi to make your trip more engaging.

Where is Hampi?

Flanked by the Tungabhadra river, Hampi is an ancient city located in the central part of Karnataka. The closest city to Hampi is Hospet, at a distance of 13 km.

Due to its geography, the distance from Hyderabad (372 km) and Bangalore (342 km) to Hampi are similar.

On the other side of the Tungabhadra River is Hippie Island, also known locally as Virapapur Gadde. As the name suggests, it is a completely different place from Hampi in that it attracts a lot of solo travellers and backpackers, especially from foreign countries. 

10 splendid places to visit in Hampi

The good thing about Hampi is that you can dedicate different days to covering different areas of Hampi.

For example, you’ll find all the major attractions in the central area of Hampi.

The remaining attractions are located in the Kamalapura area which you can cover on the second day.

You can dedicate the third day to exploring Hippie Island opposite Hampi.

Depending on where you’re staying, you can decide how you want to cover the destinations in Hampi. Having said that, let’s take a look at the top 10 places to visit in Hampi (in chronological order) according to different areas for your convenience.

Top 5 places to visit in central Hampi

1. vijaya vittala temple.

While Vijaya Vittala Temple is 11 km away (half an hour) by road from central Hampi, I’ve included it here as it’s similar to other places in central Hampi. After covering the Vijaya Vittala Temple, you can come back to central Hampi and cover the remaining four places.

Also, if you’re staying at Hampi or Hippie Island, you can also hire a ferry to the Vijaya Vittala Temple as it’ll save more time as compared to driving around.

This temple is one of the two main temples in Hampi. It was built in the 15th century AD and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

There is a large gopuram (temple tower) at the entrance of this complex and a stone chariot in the middle flanked by small temples across the complex. 

The architecture of this well-preserved temple will make you wonder how the engineers at the time were able to create such complex structures without access to modern technology or machinery.

Beautiful inscriptions and carvings on the temples and structures here showcase many events from Ramayana, different avatars of Vishnu, foreign traders in Hampi and so on.

Fun fact:  The stone chariot, which is the highlight of this temple, is depicted on the INR 50 note.

Another attraction of this place is the musical pillars. You can create music by tapping your hands on the musical pillars.

I suggest you hire a guide for this place as without one, you won’t be able to appreciate the genius architecture behind this place. You can hire a guide from the temple complex itself.

It is recommended that you visit this temple early in the morning to avoid crowds.

From the parking lot, there is a distance of 1 km to the temple complex that you can cover either on foot or by hiring a battery-operated buggy.

The ticket you purchase here can also be used to visit other sites in Hampi, like Lotus Mahal, Elephant’s Stable and the Archaeological Musem (more on them later).

2. Virupaksha Temple

One of the most popular places to visit in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple.

It is the only functioning temple in Hampi and the oldest functioning one in India.

Built-in the 7th century AD, this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was continuously expanded throughout the centuries, especially during the reign of the Vijayanagara empire.

Virupaksha Temple is a massive complex overlooking the Tungabhadra river and comprises two gopurams (temple towers), one at the entrance and one at the back.

You’ll be blown away by the complex Dravidian architecture and the intricate carvings on the structures here. To have the best experience, I suggest you hire a guide here as well to give you some historical, architectural and scientific context behind this temple.

Do not forget to visit the ‘hidden spot’ which has an ancient pin hole from where you can see the inverted shadow of gopuram! It is at the back side of the temple.

Prayers happen a couple of times a day, and you can even offer bananas to the temple elephant called Laxmi and receive blessings in return.

If you can, try to come early in the morning because this place becomes crowded as the day passes, especially in the evening.

3. Kadalekalu Ganesha and Sasivekalu Ganesha

Carved out of a single block of granite stone, the 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha kept at the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is one of the largest in the world, and is another example of the creativity and technique of craftsmen in the ancient era.

The statue is kept in a sanctum with pillared halls.

The belly of Ganesha looks like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram), hence the name. If you notice carefully, the leg of the statue is missing as it was destroyed during the Muslim invasion.

This temple was believed to be meant for the King and his guests. 

Close to 300 metres from the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is the  Sasivekalu Ganesha  Temple. The statue of Ganesha here is almost half the size of the one found in the other place.

Unlike the other statue, this one is enclosed within an open pillared pavilion. Due to the Muslim invasion, you can see the lower left hand and the trunk of the statue missing.

Its name is inspired by the resemblance between Ganesha’s belly and a mustard seed known locally as Sasivekalu.

This temple was believed to be meant for the public.

You can visit both these places on Hemakunta hill, a rocky terrain close to the Virupaksha Temple.

4. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Badavilinga Temple

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple  is the largest monolith statue in Hampi.

Built during the 15th century AD, this beautifully-sculpted statue showcases Lord Narasimha, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, as a half-man and half-lion sitting in a cross-legged position.

It depicts Lord Narasimha in a terrifying form posing on the coil of a giant seven-headed snake called Adishesha. The heads of the snake act as the hood above his head. 

Originally, the statue also had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the Lord’s lap, but it was vandalised and damaged in the year 1565 during the Muslim invasion. If you look carefully, you can spot the goddess’ hand still resting on his back. 

You can find the separate sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi in the archaeological museum (more on this later) at Kamalapura.

The Badavalinga Temple is right next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. This is another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

It is a lingam carved out of a single black stone inside a closed chamber. It is submerged in water courtesy of a water canal flowing from Tungabhadra and there is an opening at the top that lets in the natural light.

You can visit both these places together and they’re within 1.5 km of Matanga Hill. 

5. Matanga Hill

A trip to Hampi is incomplete without hiking to Matanga Hill. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Hampi to catch a sunrise/sunset.

Located in the centre of the town near Hampi Bazaar and Virupaksha Temple, it is the highest point in Hampi from where you get a panoramic view of the ruins of Hampi, including the Virupaksha Temple, Monolith Bull and the Tungabhadra River. 

You will forget the pains of climbing this ‘hill’ once you experience the stunning views from the top. I call it a ‘hill’ because it is a heap of rocks and boulders assembled that appear like one. 

It’ll take you around 20-30 minutes to reach the top as you traverse through the carefully-assembled rocks and boulders.

While you can expect some crowds, the best time to visit this place is during sunrise and sunset when the landscape brightens up with various hues of blue and orange in the sky along with the ruins of Hampi in the foreground.

Top 5 places to visit in Kamalapura (5 km from Hampi)

6. hanuman temple (anjaneya hill).

One of my favourite memories from the trip was the climb and the spectacular landscapes we saw from Hanuman Temple.

Much like Matanga Hill, this is another spot in Hampi famous for its stunning sunrise/sunset views. 

Hanuman Temple is located on top of Anjaneya Hill and it attracts a lot of pilgrims as it is known as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.

To reach the temple, you need to climb close to 600 steps, some of which are steep and others that are high and narrow.

But the entire effort will be worth it once you reach the top because you’ll see the Tungabhadra river flowing between rocky hills surrounded by paddy fields and both the Virupaksha and Vijaya Vittala temples.

Anjaneya Hill is located at a distance of 2 km from Virupaksha Temple. To reach here, you have to cross the Tungabhadra river by boat or drive to Hippie Island by road.

Beware of your belongings as this temple is host to many monkeys.

The best time to visit this place is during sunrise or sunset and the time taken to reach the top is approximately 20-30 minutes.

Note : While Anjaneya Hill is less than 20 km away from Kamalapura, I’ve included it here so that you have another place to witness an amazing sunrise/sunset on the day you visit Kamalapura. The remaining four places are in Kamalapura.

7. Zenana Enclosure

The Zenana Enclosure was a private walled compound with a serene setting reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara empire. 

Note : The ticket that you purchase from here can be used interchangeably at the Vijay Vittala Temple, Zenana Enclosure, Lotus Mahal, Elephant’s Stable and at Hampi Archaeological museum for a day.

While you can take some visit all the attractions here, make sure you visit the following places at all costs:

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Palace is a two-storied architectural marvel that resembles the shape of a lotus in bloom from the top. It was a secluded area designated for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire.

It used to have channels of water running through the arches of the palace meant to keep the queens cool during the hot summers.

Watch Tower

The troops used to guard the Zenana Enclosure from the watch towers. These towers also served as a vantage point for the ladies.

You can not climb it but can take pictures.

Elephant Stables

Close to the Lotus Palace is the Elephant Stables. It is one of the few structures in Hampi that were not attacked. 

The Elephant Stables were used to provide shelter to the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara empire.

Eleven dome-shaped chambers with lofty arched doorways were used to house the elephants. You can also see the provision for the metal hooks that were used in tying the elephants.

There is an open ground in front of the building that was used for elephant parades.

8. Royal Enclosure

The Royal Enclosure was the heart of the Vijayanagara empire. The royal family used to reside here.

The Royal Enclosure used to house several palace bases, water tanks, temples, canals, secret passages, etc. that are in ruins today.

This is another place where you need a guide for a more immersive experience.

While there are many structures in this huge complex, some of the important ones are:

Mahanavami Dibba/Dasara Dibba

Dussehra was the most celebrated event of the year for the royal family.

The Mahanavami Dibba was a three-tiered stage which served as the viewing platform for the kings and queens to watch cultural events celebrated during Dussehra.

You get a panoramic view of the expansive area within the royal corridor from here.

The sides of the walls demonstrate how Dussehra was celebrated here. You’ll find carvings of horses, warriors, elephants, various hunting scenes, mythology, dance postures, etc. that tell the cultural tale of a bygone era.

If you’re still not convinced by the creativity and genius of the craftsmen at that time, visit the step well.

Made from black stone, it is a well that is symmetrical in shape and the steps are made in a way such that water flows naturally to the bottom of the tank. It is one of the best architectural places to visit in Hampi that make use of an efficient water management system.

It is no wonder then that it is one of the most photographed attractions in Hampi. 

The step well was a sacred place for the royals. They used to take bath here before visiting any religious place.

Hazara Raama Temple

The Hazara Rama Temple is another architectural marvel like Virupaksha Temple and the Vijaya Vittala Temple that deserves your attention.

Dedicated to Lord Rama, it portrays the story of Ramayana through the stone carvings inscribed on its walls and pillars. 

This temple was meant for the royal families only.

9. Queen’s Bath

One of the lesser-known places to visit in Hampi is the Queen’s Bath, close to the Royal Enclosure.

It is a rectangular-shaped building with a pool in the middle and an open-air ceiling. It is built around a water canal with a garden in the front.

It was used as a bathing place for the queens of the Vijayanagara empire.

There is also a separate room for dress changing. 

Fun fact:  There was an ancient canal system that was used to transfer water in the bath chamber and another canal that would take out the used water.

10. Hampi Archaeological Museum (Kamalapura)

Once you’re done seeing all the ruins in Hampi, you can visit the Hampi Archaeological Museum. It’ll give you a summary of all that you learnt about Hampi and help you delve deeper into its history.

The museum houses four different galleries, each covering different aspects of Hampi.

You can find several artefacts here like sculptures of deities, paintings, ancient coins, armoury and photos of Hampi during excavation.

Watch out for the miniature model of the entire geography of Hampi!

You can visit this museum on all days except Fridays when it’s closed to the public.

5 epic things to do in Hampi

The best thing about Hampi is that it is not limited to its rich history and architectural ruins. As a traveller, there are other things that you can indulge in that will make your experience in Hampi more immersive.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Hampi apart from visiting the ruins:

1. Explore Hippie Island, Hampi

In what is a complete contrast to the ruins and heritages of Hampi, Hippie Island is a small island across the Tungabhadra river with a very laid-back and chilled-out vibe. It will remind you of Gokarna , a beach town in Karnataka which has a similar vibe and culture.

You can expect more foreigners here than Indians during the peak season.

Hippie Island, known officially as Virupapur Gadde, can be accessed by boat from Hampi. It takes only 5-10 minutes by boat and the rates are reasonable. The boating service is available only till 5:30 pm after which it might become difficult and costlier to get a boat.

You have the option of accessing Hippie Island by road but keep in mind that it takes close to 45 minutes to reach here.

Hippie Island runs across the Tungabhadra river and is characterised by paddy fields and coconut trees. There are lots of various homestays, restaurants and shops to keep you occupied.

You can shop for clothes and ornaments, get massages, indulge in yoga and play music among others.

Update : Read this article to know the latest information about Hippie Island .

2. Take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra river

A coracle is a round boat made with bamboo strips. It can carry 6-8 people at a time and has been around since the time of the Vijayanagara empire.

The ride through this boat is pretty scenic. You will get to see some temples and caves during the ride. 

It typically lasts for less than an hour. Try to bargain because the rates quoted by the boat owners are usually high.

The best time to do this will be during sunrise and sunset.

3. Try bouldering in Hampi/Hippie Island

If you love outdoor adventures, this one’s for you! Bouldering is one of the most popular things to do in Hampi/Hippie Island.

There are shops in Hippie Island run by professional people that help you climb boulders with proper gear. You don’t need to be an expert to indulge in this sport as anyone can do this.

You can check out the Tom and Jerry climbing shop, now known as Golden Boulders , located close to the entrance of Hippie Island.

4. Jump from a cliff into the Sanapur Lake

Cliff jumping is one of the best ways to cool off after visiting the ruins. You can find multiple locations at Sanapur Lake from where you can dive into the water.

Make sure that the level of water is high enough and that you know swimming. You can ask the locals for the diving spots and it is preferable to do it in a place where people are already diving.

5. Stroll at Hampi Bazaar

Hampi Bazaar was one of the first open malls in history that is flanked on one side by the Virupaksha Temple and on the other side by Matanga Hill. It is a one-kilometre-long stretch and has pavilions on both sides of the street.

It used to be the main market during the Vijayanagar empire where merchants used to sell jewellery, ornaments, precious stones, horses, etc. Take a walk through these ruins to be reminded of their rich history.

Note : You can also do this activity while you visit central Hampi.

How to reach Hampi?

There is no direct connectivity to Hampi. You need to get down at Hospet (which is at a distance of 13 km from Hampi) if you’re coming by public transport.

You can find public buses that travel from Hospet to Hampi frequently. You also have the option of hiring an auto from here.

The nearest airport to Hampi is Bellary, 60 km away. If you’re unable to find a flight to Bellary, the next best option would be to take a flight to Bangalore and take the Hampi Express at night from there.

Hospet is the nearest railway station to Hampi. 

There are frequent trains from Bangalore to Hospet every week. Hampi Express is the most convenient option for you if you are travelling from Bangalore to Hampi since you arrive at Hospet in the morning itself.

Similarly, you can find trains from Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai as well.

Hospet is well-connected to different towns and cities in Karnataka by both public and private buses. You can find inter-state buses from Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra as well.

How to travel in Hampi?

The best way to travel around Hampi is by hiring a two-wheeler, especially if you’re a solo traveller. You can rent a scooter at Kamalapura or Hampi Bazaar. You can also enquire at the place you are staying for a scooty.

The only drawback of hiring a scooty is that you’ll have to search for guides at every destination to know more about that particular place instead of hiring a guide for a full day.

Alternatively, you can hire autos/taxis to take you around Hampi. As they’re locals, they’re well versed with the history of Hampi and can double up as your guide.

In our case, we hired a cab from our homestay and a separate guide (who the driver knew).

There are no fixed rates so you would need to bargain with the driver.

At Hippie Island, hiring two-wheelers is the most common practice and it is available almost everywhere.

Best places to stay in Hampi

Most of Hampi’s tourist accommodations are located in the Hampi Bazaar. Apart from that, you can find a few homestays in Kamalapura and many low-cost hostels and homestays on Hippie Island.

Homestays in Hampi

Gopi homestay.

Although this place is a bit far away from the centre of Hampi, you will have a peaceful stay here. The hosts are friendly and will help you sort out your travel plans.

There are no restaurants available nearby but you can always have their home-cooked food. And their breakfasts are complimentary. They have a separate kitchen in case you would like to cook something on your own.

They have an open terrace from where you can get great views of the surroundings.

Srinivasa Homestay

It is located in a village near major tourist attractions with great surroundings. They have a terrace from where you can get scenic views of the village.

The rooms are clean and spacious.

The host is helpful and they provide delicious home-cooked food. They will also help you with your travel plans. 

Abhi Homestay

The host is very hospitable and goes out of their way to help you. You get delicious home-cooked food as well.

The homestay is at a peaceful location. It is near the main tourist attractions of Hampi.

Hostels in Hampi

Murali homestay.

They are located at Hippie Island so you would need to cross the Tungabhadra river or come by road from Hampi to reach here. They will also pick you up from Hampi at an additional cost.

They have mixed dorms apart from private rooms and can also help you with renting a scooty.

The views from the property are picturesque and you will get good home-cooked food here.

Rambo Homestay

It is another homestay located on Hippie Island close to Sanapur Lake. The location of this homestay is beautiful as it is nearby the lake and paddy fields

The host is very helpful and will pick you up from Hampi if you want. You can rent scooters here as well.

The ambience of this place is very laid back and they provide good food at reasonable rates at their restaurant.

Best restaurants in Hampi

Mango Tree Restaurant

If I had to suggest only one restaurant in Hampi, this would be it. You will end up having food from here multiple times because the quality of the food is amazing.

They have a variety of cuisines including Italian, European, Israeli, Chinese and Asian.

Mango lassi is a must-have here.

Note : You will find a lot of restaurants in Hampi, especially on Hippie Island that have good reviews online but from personal experience, the quality of the food that you get at most of these restaurants belies their online ratings.

Best time to visit Hampi

Being a dry region, Hampi has very hot and dry weather in general. The summers in Hampi can go up to 40 degrees.

However, you’ll find that tourists are also less during this time.

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. While the weather remains warm during the day, it is certainly more pleasant as compared to the summer season.

Best travel tips for Hampi

Following are some tips to keep in mind to ensure you have a great experience in Hampi:

• As you will be walking around Hampi from one place to another under the harsh sun, it is imperative to carry a hat to protect your head and sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Make sure to hydrate yourself regularly as you will get tired easily.
• Avoid cotton clothes and wear active and breathable clothes to avoid getting drenched in your sweat.
• Wear sports shoes to walk around comfortably as you will need a good grip when climbing boulders and rocks.
• It is highly recommended to hire a travel guide while visiting the ruins of Hampi. They can tell you the story behind a place and give you some context. You can hire guides from the tourism office at Virupaksha Temple or enquire at the place you are staying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hampi popular for.

Hampi is an ancient temple town located in central Karnataka that was once the richest city in India and the second largest medieval city in the world after Beijing. 

It was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire and used to attract a lot of traders from Persia, Portugal and other countries worldwide.

It was destroyed and looted in 1565 by Muslim rulers after which the entire city has remained in ruins.

Hampi is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for the architecture and history of its ruined temples and monuments that were constructed under the Vijayanagara empire.

Which are the top 5 places to visit in Hampi?

Following are the top 5 places to visit in Hampi based on my experience: 1. Virupaksha Temple 2. Vijaya Vittala Temple 3. Hippie Island 4. Hanuman Temple (Anjaneya Hill) 5. Zenana Enclosure

Is 2 days enough for Hampi?

Two days are enough if you plan to visit the architectural ruins and temples of Hampi. 

However, you need to ensure that you follow a strict schedule so that you’re able to cover all the places in 2 days. This is because some places require more time to cover compared to others.

Also, ensure that you’re hiring a guide to give you context about the history and architecture of all the ruins you visit in Hampi.

Which are the places to visit in Hampi in 2 days?

If you plan to visit Hampi for a weekend, the following are the places to visit in Hampi in 2 days (in chronological order): 1. Vijaya Vittala Temple 2. Virupaksha Temple 3. Kadalekalu Ganesha and Sasivekalu Ganesha 4. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Badavilinga Temple 5. Matanga Hill 6. Hanuman Temple (Anjaneya Hill) 7. Zenana Enclosure 8. Royal Enclosure 9. Queen’s Bath 10. Hampi Archaeological Museum (Kamalapura)

Which are the places to visit in Hampi in 3 days?

Following are the places to visit in Hampi in 2 days (in chronological order): 1. Vijaya Vittala Temple 2. Virupaksha Temple 3. Kadalekalu Ganesha and Sasivekalu Ganesha 4. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Badavilinga Temple 5. Matanga Hill 6. Hanuman Temple (Anjaneya Hill) 7. Zenana Enclosure 8. Royal Enclosure 9. Queen’s Bath 10. Hampi Archaeological Museum (Kamalapura)

If you have one more day to spare, you can do the following activities for the third day: 11. Explore Hippie Island, Hampi 12. Take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra river 13. Try bouldering on Hippie Island 14. Jump from a cliff into the Sanapur Lake 15. Stroll at Hampi Bazaar

Hampi is a magical city that’ll take you back to the Vijayanagara empire leaving you with rich memories of an era gone by. Nowhere in India will you see a landscape and a history as striking as the one you see in Hampi.

Apart from visiting the famous ruins of the city, you can also explore other activities like exploring Hippie Island, taking a coracle ride and jumping off a cliff.

Also, while you visit the ruins, make sure you hire a guide who’ll give you context for all the places you visit. You can ask for the same from the place you’re staying at.

Depending on what you’re looking for, all the homestays and hostels will also help you hire a cab/auto or rent a scooty.

You’ll find a lot of homestays and hostels at Hampi at reasonable rates. This will be especially useful for people who love to travel solo or backpack.

Lastly, while you can visit Hampi in the summers and expect a lesser crowd, the weather is much more favourable during winters.

With that said, I hope you found this extensive guide on ‘the 10 best places to visit in Hampi’ useful.

If you have any questions, do let me know in the comments! 

Jerry quit his 9-5 job to become a digital nomad and travel the world. Through Framedventures, he helps people have experiential and immersive travel adventures across India. He has travelled to 15+ states/UTs in India so far. Besides travelling, he's also passionate about landscape photography. Connect with him on his social media channels to get his latest travel updates!

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Ismail Lakdawala

Hi Jerry! Wonderful article! So detailed and so helpful to every traveler to get a complete picture!

Really loved it, and a huge thanks for linking our article for Hippie Island updates as well! Means a lot 💯

Keep creating! Let’s do a collab post soon!

Best, Ismail From Xplore The Earth

Hey Ismail! Thanks a lot.😃

Your article was very helpful as well as I wasn’t aware of the Hippie Island update.😁

Yes, let’s do a collab one day.✌️

Samir Kumar Basak

Excellent description. I have a plan to visit soon. It will help me lot. Thanks for your effort.

Hey Samir! Glad I could help.😇

Have an amazing trip in Hampi!

Akhila Jenny Ravikumar

Hey Jerry, you have written an awesome content on Hampi. The blog is really helpful for anyone planning a trip to Hampi. You have captured stunning pictures of Virupaksha Temple and Vijaya Vittala Temple.

Thank you Akhila for the awesome feedback!😄 Are you planning to visit Hampi anytime soon?

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26 Best Places To Visit in Hampi Karnataka

Looking for offbeat places in India ? Hampi, Karnataka has it all! This UNESCO World Heritage site boasts historical ruins, religious sites, and natural landscapes that are sure to impress. As the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 15th century, Hampi’s architectural marvels and intricate carvings still draw in history enthusiasts today. Don’t miss out on the chance to visit one of the world’s richest and most powerful cities of its time – plan your trip to Hampi and discover the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka!

Explore the Enchanting Hampi

Hampi is a captivating world heritage site that takes you back in time. With its stunning temples, ruins, and unique landscape, it offers something for every traveler. Whether you’re looking for spirituality, history, adventure, or serenity in nature, Hampi has it all.

1. The Vivacious Vijaya Vittala Temple

Looking for the perfect summer vacation places for families ? Look no further than the iconic Vijaya Vittala Temple in Hampi, Karnataka. This temple complex is one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka, showcasing the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire.

Don’t miss the lotus mahal, a stunning palace-like structure with beautiful lotus-shaped arches. Immerse yourself in the rich history and divine beauty of this must-see destination in Hampi, one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka.

2. The Sacred Sri Virupaksha Temple

Looking for i ntrovert-friendly destinations in Hampi Karnataka? Look no further than the Sri Virupaksha Temple, the oldest functioning temple in the area and a testament to the region’s rich heritage. Marvel at the intricate carvings on the towering gopuram and explore the inner sanctums adorned with beautiful sculptures.

Adjacent to the temple is the Virupaksha Bazaar, a bustling market street where you can immerse yourself in the local culture and indulge in South Indian cuisine. These two places to visit in Hampi Karnataka are sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

3. The Historic Hanuman Temple

Looking for the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka? Look no further than the historic Hanuman Temple. This sacred site is a must-visit for devotees of Lord Hanuman, as it is believed to be his birthplace.

But even if you’re not a devout follower, the temple’s serene ambiance and ancient stone walls make it a peaceful refuge worth exploring. Witness vibrant rituals conducted by the priests and immerse yourself in the spiritual energy. And if you’re planning a trip to India in June , Hampi should definitely be on your list of places to visit.

4. The Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex: A Panoramic View

Hampi’s beauty extends beyond its temples and ruins, with the Hemakuta Hill temple complex offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the city. A visit to this hilltop location is a must for those seeking a stunning vantage point to witness the beauty of Hampi and its surrounding landscape.

• Enjoy a mesmerizing sunset view over the historical ruins of Hampi from the top of Hemakuta Hill.
• Explore the temple complex, which houses a collection of ancient shrines and beautiful rock-cut caves.
• Marvel at the intricate carvings adorning the stone walls, depicting scenes from Hindu mythology.
• Experience the serenity of the hill, away from the bustling city, as you immerse yourself in the spiritual energy of the temples.
• Capture postcard-perfect photographs of the majestic temples and the panoramic view of Hampi’s unique landscape.

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Experience the Grandeur of Hampi’s Monuments

Looking for the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka? This historical city is home to grand monuments and historical sites that offer a glimpse into a bygone era of opulence and glory. From remarkable bathhouses to ancient temples, Hampi’s architectural marvels are sure to captivate you. Experience the grandeur of this once-thriving city and uncover the stories of its past. Don’t miss out on one of the best places to visit in India in February .

5. The Majestic Queen’s Bath

Looking for the best places to visit in India in August ? Look no further than Hampi Karnataka, where you can step into the world of regal luxury with a visit to the Majestic Queen’s Bath. This architectural marvel, built in the 15th century, was the private bathing complex of the queen and her attendants and is one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka.

The Queen’s Bath is a fascinating testament to the architectural brilliance and sophisticated lifestyle of the Vijayanagara Empire and is a must-see on any visit to the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka.

6. The Mysterious Riverside Ruins

Looking for a unique travel experience in India? Look no further than the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka. The riverside ruins offer a mysterious charm and a chance to witness the eternal interplay between man and nature.

These ruins have been featured in Bollywood travel movies and offer a touch of mystery and historical significance. Don’t miss out on immersing yourself in the serenity of the surroundings and discovering the stories of the past.

7. The Vibrant Hampi Bazaar

No visit to Hampi is complete without exploring the vibrant Hampi Bazaar, one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka. Wander through narrow lanes lined with shops selling local crafts, souvenirs, and traditional clothing. Indulge in the local cuisine, savoring the flavors of Karnataka, such as spicy dosas and traditional sweets.

The bazaar also offers small cafes where you can relax and savor a cup of steaming filter coffee. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere and discover hidden gems, making the Hampi Bazaar a must-visit destination for cultural immersion in Hampi, one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka.

8. The Informative Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Hampi is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. It’s one of the unique museums in the world that houses a vast collection of artifacts, sculptures, and antiquities dating back to the Vijayanagara Empire and beyond. Explore the galleries showcasing archaeological wonders unearthed in Hampi and its surrounding areas.

The museum offers detailed explanations and historical context, making it an informative experience for visitors interested in delving deep into the history of the region. It’s one of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka for a glimpse into the daily lives of the people of the Vijayanagara Empire and a deeper understanding of the city’s rich past.

Enthralling Adventure Spots in Hampi

Hampi isn’t just a place for history enthusiasts, but also a paradise for adventure seekers. With its unique landscape of boulder-strewn hills and the gushing Tungabhadra River, Hampi offers a plethora of thrilling activities to get your adrenaline pumping.

9. The Breathtaking Matanga Hill

For hikers and nature lovers, a trek to the top of Matanga Hill offers a breathtaking experience in Hampi. Climb the rocky hill to witness the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, casting a golden glow over the sprawling historical ruins and the mesmerizing landscape of boulders.

10. The Exotic Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Nature enthusiasts shouldn’t miss the opportunity to visit the Daroji Bear Sanctuary, just a short distance from Hampi. This sanctuary is home to the endangered sloth bears, offering a chance to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Embark on a guided safari and get a glimpse of these fascinating animals as they go about their daily activities.

11. The Mesmerizing Tungabhadra Dam

The Tungabhadra Dam, a major water reservoir on the Tungabhadra River, is worth a visit in Hampi. This majestic dam not only serves as a significant source of irrigation for the surrounding agricultural lands but also offers a tranquil spot for leisurely boat rides. Hop on a boat and cruise along the serene waters, taking in the picturesque landscapes and the lush greenery that the dam has to offer.

12. The Quirky Hippie Island

For a unique cultural experience in Hampi, head to the quirky Hippie Island, officially known as Virupapur Gadde. This island, situated across the Tungabhadra River, offers a laid-back and bohemian ambiance, attracting backpackers, solo travelers, and those seeking a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Time Travel with Hampi’s Historical Sites

Hampi’s rich history and archaeological significance make it a time traveler’s paradise. Every corner of this ancient city tells a story, taking you on a journey through time to the glorious days of the Vijayanagara Empire.

13. The Impressive Gagan Mahal

Explore the magnificent Gagan Mahal, also known as the “sky palace,” in Hampi. Once the royal residence of the Vijayanagara kings, this majestic palace showcases the architectural splendor of the bygone era. Marvel at the grandeur of the palace with its sprawling courtyards, ornate arches, and beautiful frescoes that adorn the walls.

14. The Divine Krishna Temple

Visit the sacred Krishna Temple in Hampi, a renowned pilgrimage site dedicated to Lord Krishna. This temple complex, nestled in the heart of the city, serves as a spiritual center for devotees. Admire the intricate carvings, stunning architecture, and religious frescoes that depict the life and legends of Lord Krishna.

15. The Serene Sanapur Lake

Discover the serene beauty of Sanapur Lake in Hampi. Surrounded by towering boulders and lush greenery, this natural oasis offers a tranquil retreat from the city. Enjoy a dip in the cool waters, a peaceful boat ride, or simply relax on the lake’s banks. For adventure seekers, cliff jumping is available for an added thrill.

16. The Unique Hazara Rama Temple

Explore the Vijayanagara Empire at the Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi. This unique temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and features a thousand intricately carved panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana. Admire the detailed carvings, frescoes, and historical tales within the temple’s walls. The Hazara Rama Temple showcases Hampi’s rich heritage and cultural significance.

Uncover Hidden Gems in Hampi

Beyond the popular tourist attractions, Hampi is brimming with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Explore the offbeat spots, where untouched beauty and a sense of tranquility await. Wander through the ancient ruins, stumble upon hidden temples, and find solace in the serenity of nature. Hampi has a charm that goes beyond the well-trodden path, offering a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

17. The Intricate Elephant Stables

One of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka is the Intricate Elephant Stables. It’s a marvel of architectural design and history, originally used to house the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. This hidden gem displays a blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural influences with elegant arches, intricate carvings, and detailed stone work in each of the eleven chambers.

18. The Ancient Stepped Tank

The Ancient Stepped Tank in Hampi is a hidden gem of ancient engineering. Located in the heart of the city, it played a crucial role in the daily lives of the Vijayanagara Empire. Marvel at the precision of the steps, patterns, and water channels that ensured a sustainable water supply. This tank stands as a testament to advanced technological skills of the time.

19. The Monolithic Bull: A Symbol of Strength

The Monolithic Bull in Hampi is an iconic sculpture symbolizing strength and devotion to Lord Shiva. This massive stone statue of Nandi, the sacred bull and vahana of Lord Shiva, stands tall in a temple complex dedicated to the deity. Marvel at its intricate details, size, and craftsmanship. It’s a testament to the skill of artisans from the Vijayanagara Empire that leaves visitors in awe.

20. The Elegant Kamal Mahal

The Kamal Mahal, also known as the Lotus Palace, is located in the Zenana Enclosure. This elegant palace gives insight into the lifestyle of royal women in the Vijayanagara Empire. With its beautiful arches, intricate carvings, and lotus-shaped designs, it served as a place for leisure and artistic pursuits. Explore the chambers, admire the architecture, and envision the opulent lives of the palace’s past inhabitants.

Hampi’s Architectural Marvels

Hampi’s architectural marvels stand as a testament to the rich heritage of the city. The grand structures, adorned with intricate carvings, showcase the brilliance of the Vijayanagara Empire’s architectural style. From the captivating temples to the regal palaces, Hampi’s architectural wonders continue to awe and inspire visitors from around the world.

21. The Walled Zanana Enclosure

The Walled Zanana Enclosure in Hampi, a secluded area reserved for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire, offers a glimpse into the private lives of the queens. Surrounded by high walls, this enclosed space provided the queens with privacy, security, and a place to engage in cultural and artistic pursuits. Explore the beautiful palaces, courtyards, and pavilions within the enclosure, marveling at the architectural splendor and the rich history that permeates the air.

22. The Majestic Kadalekalu Ganesh

The Majestic Kadalekalu Ganesh, a magnificent statue of Lord Ganesha, is a major attraction in Hampi. This 15-foot-tall monolithic statue, carved out of a single rock, depicts Lord Ganesha in a sitting posture, holding a bowl of sweetmeats (kadalekalu) in his hand. Marvel at the detailed carvings, the artistic finesse, and the religious significance of this grand statue of Lord Ganesha. The Kadalekalu Ganesh temple radiates a divine aura, attracting devotees and showcasing the religious harmony of the region.

23. The Holy Tiruvengalanatha Temple

The Holy Tiruvengalanatha Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is a place of religious significance in Hampi. This ancient temple complex, nestled amidst the historical ruins, offers a serene ambiance and beautiful stone carvings depicting various religious scenes. Immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere, witness the daily rituals, and feel a sense of profound peace as you connect with the divine presence of Lord Shiva.

24. The Fascinating Krishna Pushkarani

One of the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka is the Krishna Pushkarani. This sacred tank, located near the Krishna Temple, showcases the architectural prowess of the Vijayanagara Empire. It features ancient water management techniques and intricate stone carvings.

The geometric precision and serene beauty of the Krishna Pushkarani make it a must-visit destination for tranquility and spiritual rejuvenation. So, if you’re looking for the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka, don’t miss out on the Krishna Pushkarani.

25. The Peaceful Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

Escape the crowds and find peace in the serene ambiance of the Prasanna Virupaksha Temple in Hampi. Located away from the bustling tourist spots, this temple offers a tranquil haven, surrounded by lush greenery and a soothing atmosphere. Explore the underground shrine, dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, and experience the serenity of the temple complex as you immerse yourself in the spiritual ambiance.

Hampi’s Unique Cultural Experience

Hampi is not only about historical ruins and ancient temples, but it also offers a unique cultural experience. Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of the region by witnessing traditional dance performances, partaking in local festivals, and savoring the flavors of the local cuisine. From the vibrant dance forms to the sumptuous traditional dishes, Hampi offers a glimpse into the cultural heritage of the region, leaving visitors with lasting memories.

26. A Day at the Laughing Buddha Cafe

Looking for a place to relax and rejuvenate in Hampi Karnataka? Check out the Laughing Buddha Cafe! This popular chill-out spot offers a laid-back vibe and stunning river views. It’s the perfect place to unwind after exploring the best places to visit in Hampi Karnataka.

Enjoy a variety of international cuisine and refreshing beverages while soaking in the peaceful ambiance. Whether you want to connect with fellow travelers or simply read a book, the Laughing Buddha Cafe provides an ideal setting for a memorable day in Hampi. Don’t miss out on this must-visit spot on your trip to Hampi Karnataka!

Essential Travel Information for Hampi

Planning a trip to Hampi? Here’s some essential travel information to help you make the most of your visit. Familiarize yourself with the best time to visit, the different accommodation options, and the transportation facilities available in the area. With the right travel information, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to this historical masterpiece in Karnataka, India.

Ideal Time to Visit Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March when the weather is pleasant and the skies are clear. The post-monsoon season adds beauty to the tourist places. It’s advisable to avoid visiting in the scorching summer months of April to June. The monsoon season, from July to September, brings heavy rains that make it difficult to explore outdoor attractions and ruins in Hampi.

Navigating Through Hampi

Exploring the historical marvels of Hampi can be an adventure. The best way to navigate is on foot, as the attractions are close together. Alternatively, you can rent a bicycle or a moped to cover more ground. Hiring a local auto-rickshaw is another convenient option, especially for the outskirts.

Hampi has well-connected roads and pathways, making it easy to explore temples, ruins, and other tourist spots. So put on your walking shoes, rent a bicycle, or hop on a rickshaw and uncover the beauty of Hampi at your own pace.

What Makes Hampi a Must-Visit Destination?

Hampi’s unique landscape, rich history, and cultural heritage make it a must-visit destination. The city’s otherworldly boulder-strewn landscapes, surrounded by ancient ruins and temples, create a setting that is unlike anywhere else in the world. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hampi offers a fascinating blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty, captivating the hearts of visitors from all walks of life. Whether you’re a history buff, an adventure seeker, a nature lover, or a spiritual traveler, there is something in Hampi to ignite a sense of wonder and leave you with lasting memories.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)

Q: is 2 days enough for hampi, q: what is hampi famous for, q: how many places to visit in hampi, q: does hampi have a beach.

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Hampi: The Perfect Itinerary For An Epic Trip

The mere mention of Hampi evokes thousands of feelings in our hearts. Once the capital of the esteemed Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi has now enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to her architectural and sculptural remains.

Table of Contents

Know before you go: all about Hampi:

Hampi was originally known as Pampakshetra. It was named after Pampa, a reincarnation of Sati. Pampa had fallen in love with Shiva, who was then meditating at Hemkuta Hill. Eventually, Shiva was impressed by Pampa’s dedication and married her. In fact, Shiva is known as Pampapati in Hampi. Also, Hampi is a contorted term derived from the word ‘Pampa’.

In Ramayana, Hampi was called Kishkindha. It was the kingdom of monkeys. It was from here that Rama embarked on his mission to rescue Sita from Lanka.

Historically, Hampi was the capital of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. It was the second largest city of the Medieval Age. It was also the richest city in the contemporary world. Foreign visitors from Persia, Italy, Portugal, and Russia have left chronicles of a prosperous city, which was conquered by the Deccan Sultanate troops in 1565 CE, ravaged for six months, and then abandoned.

Know more about Hampi from our previous blog post here .

Where is Hampi located:

Hampi is located in central Karnataka, near the state border with Andhra Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. It is 376 km from Bengaluru and 165 km from Hubli.

How to reach Hampi:

• By air: The nearest airport is at Torangallu (32 km from Hampi), which, in turn, is well–connected with Bengaluru by air.
• By rail: Hospet (13 km from Hampi) is the nearest rail station.
• By bus: Overnight bus services are available from Bengaluru.

As for us, we reached Bengaluru from Kolkata by flight. Then, we boarded the train from KSR Bengaluru station. We reached Hospet at 7 AM after an overnight journey. From Hospet, we took an auto to Hampi. The auto charged INR 250.

What is the best time to visit Hampi:

Given its rocky terrain, Hampi remains excruciatingly hot during most part of the year making it extremely difficult to explore the ruins. Hence, it is best to visit Hampi from October to February. The temperature remains moderate and the chances of rainfall are almost nil during this time.

How to travel within Hampi:

The most convenient way to travel in and around Hampi is by auto. The daily fare of an auto is around INR 1000. Don’t forget to bargain a bit.

You can rent a scooter and bike at INR 200 – 300 per day depending on the type of vehicle.

You can also rent bicycles at INR 100 – 150 per day.

Where to stay in Hampi:

We stayed at KSTDC Mayura Bhuvaneshwari at Kamalapura. The room was decent and provided with all amenities. We also loved the food here. The staff are cordial too. You can check the current room rent and book rooms from here .

The Clark’s Inn Hampi is another good option for accommodation. This hotel is located just opposite the Archaeological Museum.

Books on Hampi:

We will suggest reading about the Vijayanagara Empire before travelling there. It will help you to understand the history of Hampi and thereby feel this amazing place. Read “A Forgotten Empire” by Sewell and “Hampi Vijayanagara” by Fritz & Michell.

What are the things to do in Hampi:

1. The best and most important thing to do here is obviously to explore the countless ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

2. Sunset in Hampi is regarded as one of the best in Asia. Watch beautiful sunsets from Hemkuta, Matanga, and Anjanadri Hills.

3. Take a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra River, especially during the sunset.

4. Don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum. True, Hampi is often considered an open museum. Yet, its museum houses some spectacular and important relics of Vijayanagara.

5. Explore the rural side of Hampi. The paddy fields, coconut groves, and banana plantations add to its idyllic beauty.

6. If you are up for an adventure, you can go rock climbing in Hampi.

7. Hampi is also known for birding.

8. You can also visit the Daroji Bear Sanctuary to see sloth bears.

How many days are enough for Hampi:

No matter how many days you stay at Hampi, you will end up wishing to spend a few more days there. Alas! If only, our bosses at work understood!

Ideally, 3 days will be sufficient to explore Hampi. We spent 3 days and covered even some of the off-beat places here.

In this blog, we will share our very own itinerary. Along with that, we will also chalk out itineraries for 2 days and 1 day. You can modify them at your convenience.

On our first day, we started our exploration by visiting the following places in and around Kamalapura:

1. Vijaya Vittala Temple:

This is one of the most important temple ruins of Hampi. It is considered a masterpiece of Vijayanagara temple architecture. Since it remains crowded for a good part of the day, we visited around 7 in the morning.

On entering through the eastern ‘gopuram’, the magnificent stone chariot grabs all the attention. The stone chariot believed to be inspired by Konark’s Sun Temple, is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourist attractions here.

Later, we took the dirt road on the left of the Vittala Temple and reached the King’s Balance . The Vijayanagara emperors are believed to have had themselves weighed on this balance against gold and precious stones, which were later distributed among temple priests.

2. Malyavanta Hill:

This place is laced with tales from Ramayana. Rama is believed to have spent four months here while looking out for Sita. The relief carvings of Shiva lingams and Nandis found on the hill were worshipped by him. We were also captivated by the panoramic view of Hampi from above Malyavanta Hill.

The summit of Malyavanta has the beautiful Raghunatha Temple. It is only in this temple that Rama can be found worshipped in a seated position.

3. Bhima’s Gate:

Next came Bhima’s Gate. A slab carved with Bhima, Mahabharata’s hero, was found here, hence the name.

4. Ganagitti Jain Temple:

An inscription of 1385 CE on the ‘dipa-stambha’ mentions that this Jain temple was built by Irugappa, a general of Harihara II. The structure of this temple is quite simple and austere in style with plain outer walls.

5. Pattabhirama Temple:

Our next stop was Pattabhirama Temple, which is one of the largest temple complexes in Hampi.

The temple was dedicated to Lord Rama. It was probably built by Achyutaraya of the Tuluva dynasty. It once formed the nucleus of an urban cluster called Varadevi Ammana Pattana, named after one of the queens of Achyutaraya.

A short walk from the temple brought us to its ‘pushkarini’. We also visited the Domed Gateway nearby, which once served as an entrance to the urban cluster from the southeast.

Post-lunch, we decided to explore the Sacred Cluster of Hampi.

6. Narasimha Monolith:

This colossal statue, standing at 6.7 meters high, is extremely popular among tourists. It was commissioned by Krishnadevaraya in 1528 CE. The Narasimha is seated cross-legged beneath the Sheshanaga.

Originally, there was a statue of Lakshmi seated on the lap of Narasimha. Sadly, nothing is left of the figure of the goddess.

7. Badavi Linga:

Right next to the Narasimha statue, there is a monolithic Shiva linga, which is about 3 meters tall.

8. Krishna Temple:

This is another significant temple ruin of Hampi. It once formed the epicentre of the Krishnapura urban cluster.

The temple was commissioned by Krishnadevaraya in 1515 CE to celebrate his victory over the Gajapati rulers of the then Orissa. During its heyday, this temple housed a granite icon of infant Krishna, which was brought from Udaygiri.

9. Virupaksha Temple:

It is one of the few intact and active temples in Hampi, which remained unscathed from the destruction caused by the Sultanate. During the Vijayanagara Empire, it was the main temple and principal centre of pilgrimage. Even today, throngs of pilgrims visit this temple every day.

The temple is dedicated to Shiva, who is venerated as Virupaksha and Pampapathi here. Along with him, his two consorts – Pampa and Bhuwaneshwari – are also worshipped here.

10. Kadalekalu Ganesha:

After Virupaksha Temple, we went to the Hemkuta Hill. Here, we first visited Kadalekalu (roughly translated to gram seed) Ganesha.

The 4.5-meter-high statue has been carved out of a massive single boulder.

11. Sasivekalu Ganesha:

This is another prominent monolithic statue of Ganesha, rising at 2.4 meters. The word ‘sasivekalu’ locally means mustard seed.

An inscription nearby informs that a merchant engaged in the business of mustard seed had commissioned this temple.

• The first day of exploring Hampi ended with catching the sunset at Hemkuta Hill.

The first half of the second day was reserved for exploring the Royal Enclosure area.

1. Queen’s Bath:

One of the most attractive structures of the Royal Enclosure, the building is influenced by Indo-Islamic architecture.

The name, however, seems to be a misnomer. It was probably used by male courtiers and their female companions.

2. Mahanabami Dibba:

This raised platform was used by the Vijayanagara emperors for receiving honourable guests, watching army processions, games, and cultural performances, and most importantly celebrating the Navaratri festival.

Nothing exists in the upper portion of the platform. Only the base has survived the trial of time. It has countless carvings, which depict the day-to-day lives of the Empire.

From the top of the platform, the entire Royal Enclosure and palace area can be clearly seen. You can also check out the remains of various structures that have been excavated over the years.

3. Hazara Rama Temple:

This temple is another excellent specimen of Vijayanagara temple architecture. As it is located right in the middle of the Royal Enclosure, it is believed that the temple was exclusively used by the King.

This temple was built by Devaraya I of the Sangama dynasty in the early 15th CE. It was dedicated to Rama. The outer walls of the main temple have three tiers of carving, featuring 108 scenes from the Ramayana.

4. Zenana Enclosure:

This is a high-walled compound, which has two excavated palace structures and watchtowers. Contrary to popular belief, historians believe that the women of the Vijayanagara court did not live there. Since it is located in the vicinity of elephant stables and parade ground, the kings and their commanders most likely used it.

5. Lotus Mahal:

The Lotus Mahal is the most attractive structure inside the Zenana Enclosure.

It is characterized by a cluster of nine pyramidal towers and lobed arches.

6. Elephant Stable:

This is another specimen of Indo-Islamic architecture in Hampi. It comprises eleven chambers, each of which could accommodate two elephants.

After having our lunch and a bit of rest, we started the second phase of our exploration.

7. Coracle ride on Tungabhadra:

The coracle ride on Tungabhadra is one of the pleasant experiences in Hampi.

8. Kodandarama Temple and riverside sculptures:

The Kodandarama Temple is another active temple of Hampi. It is dedicated to Rama and his consort, Sita.

The surrounding area has many sculptures, notable among them are countless miniature lingas and a set of carvings portraying the avatars of Vishnu.

We also visited a cave temple, which remains submerged during the monsoon. It has interesting carvings of Shiva, Veerbhadra, a half-man and half-bull form of Nandi, etc.

9. Achyutaraya Temple:

It is also known as Tiruvengalanatha Temple. It was built in 1534 CE, not by Achyutaraya as the name suggests, but by his brother-in-law.

The temple is in a dilapidated state, although its grand scale and magnificence can still be asserted.

10. Matanga Hill:

We ended our day with another glorious sunset, watching it from the top of Matanga Hill.

We started our third day by visiting the Archaeological Museum in Kamalpura. It has a fascinating collection of artefacts excavated from various sites of Hampi. The museum is divided into three galleries: the Shaiva Gallery, notable for life-size sculptures of Virbhadra and Bhairava; the Vishnu Gallery, showcasing statues of Garuda, Hanumana, Vishnu, and so on; and the General Gallery, displaying coins, weapons, copper plate inscriptions and such other artefacts of Vijayanagara Empire.

Afterward, we went to Anegundi, which was the first capital of Vijayanagara rulers. Anegundi is located on the northern bank of Tungabhadra. It is also believed to be the monkey kingdom of Kishkindha, as mentioned in the Ramayana.

The places of interest in Anegundi are as follows:

1. Anjanadri Hill:

It is believed to be the birthplace of Hanuman, the monkey god. You need to climb 575 steps to reach the top, which has a temple dedicated to Hanuman.

The Anjanadri Hill is also one of the best places to enjoy the sunset in Hampi. We were also amazed by the panoramic view of Hampi that this hill provided.

2. Anegundi Fort:

This was a fortified citadel, which housed a Durga temple and a Ganesha temple.

3. Pampa Sarovar:

This is a holy lake, where Pampa performed penance to show her devotion to Shiva.

4. Sanapur Lake:

It is one of the most scenic places in Anegundi. This natural lake is surrounded by stunning boulders and rocks, which further add to the charm of this place.

We loved this place as it was far less crowded than the rest of Hampi. We found it perfect for enjoying a bit of tranquillity. Also, coracle rides are available here.

Anegundi is also known for its picturesque rural beauty. It is dotted with paddy fields, banana plantations, and coconut groves.

2-days itinerary for Hampi:

If you are visiting Hampi for two days, you can opt for our plan for the first two days, following it to the T. You will have to give Anegundi a miss in that case.

1-day itinerary for Hampi:

In case you have only one day to explore Hampi, we suggest visiting only the most important places. It will be impossible to cover all the places in a go.

Start early with Vijaya Vittala Temple. Then proceed to the Royal Enclosure and visit the Queen’s Bath, Mahanabami Platform, Hazara Rama Temple, Lotus Mahal, and Elephant Stable.

Grab a quick lunch and start exploring the Sacred Cluster. Start with the Narasimha monolith and continue with the Krishna Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Kadalekalu Ganesha, and Sasivekalu Ganesha. Finish your day’s trip by watching the sunset from Hemkuta Hill.

Things to remember:

1. The monuments in Hampi remain open from 6 AM to 6 PM.

2. The Archaeological Museum remains open from 10 AM to 5 PM. It is closed on Fridays.

3. Entry fees are required for visiting Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, and Zenana Enclosure. For the rest of the monuments, entry is free.

4. Drones and tripods are not allowed in Hampi.

5. The weather in Hampi is quite hot even at the end of October. Hence, we suggest starting as early as possible. Explore until lunch and take a break afterwards as the sun remains harshest between 12 PM to 3 PM. Start travelling again after 3 in the afternoon.

6. Though Hampi is known for mesmerizing sunsets, you can catch the sunrise from Matanaga Hill. However, the climb is a bit difficult as there is no paved way. It will be tricky to climb the precarious stairway before sunrise.

7. It is unsafe to travel around Hampi after sundown. Bears and leopards lurk around the hills and caves in the darkness.

8. Though the ambience of Hampi is quite chilled out, we suggest dressing modestly as most of the monuments in Hampi are religious in nature.

9. Carry an umbrella, wear hats and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water. Keep yourself hydrated with coconut water, which is easily available in Hampi.

10. Carry sufficient cash as ATMs in Hampi are mostly non-functional.

11. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options are available in Hampi. The restaurants around Hampi Bazar however serve only veg. Some of the best eateries in Hampi are Mango Tree, Gopi Roof Restaurant, Ganesh Old Chillout, Funky Monkey, The Bridge, and Laughing Buddha.

12. We would suggest taking a guided tour of Hampi. It will make your tour more organized and you will get to know countless titbits about Hampi. We hired Mr. Bhanu. He was an excellent guide. He charged us INR 2000 per day. His contact number is 09449409070.

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• 29 Most Riveting Places To Visit In Hampi That Are A Must In 2024!

23 Mar 2023

Located on the banks of the River Tungabhadra, Hampi is a small yet enchanting temple town bounded by the intriguing historical ruins of Vijayanagara city in the state of Karnataka. With a host of tourist places to see in Hampi, this dreamworld made of boulders, monoliths, and ruins of ancient edifices is a delight for tourists and thus is considered among best places to visit in Karnataka . The various engrossing places to visit in Hampi see a perennial influx of history-buffs, families, and photography enthusiasts. The status of the UNESCO World Heritage Site further accentuates the eminence of Hampi as one of the most popular historical and religious tourist places in India.

29 Best Places To Visit In Hampi

While visiting this heritage land, make sure to not miss out on these places and witness the architectural beauty of Hampi.

1. Vijaya Vittala Temple

Image Source Vijaya Vittala Temple is a 15th-century structure that is also considered the largest of all historical structures in Hampi. This humungous temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu- and is a must-visit amongst all Hampi tourist places. The extraordinary stone chariot , arrays of huge pillars in the temple halls, and intricate sculptures are the true embodiments of the bewitching architecture of the centuries-old Vijaya Vittala Temple. Timings: 08:30 am to 5:30 pm (all days) Entry fee:

• INR 10 for Indian nationals and US $5 for foreign nationals
• Video camera fee- INR 25
• Still camera fee- Nil

Visit duration: Approximately 2 hours Tip: Visit as early as possible to avoid crowds and to witness the best views of the temple.

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2. Sri Virupaksha Temple

Image Source Believed to be the oldest functioning temple in India, Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva. The temple is also considered one of the most significant religious places to visit in Hampi and attracts a huge number of pilgrims from all over India. The sprawling campus of the Virupaksha temple houses a huge courtyard, huge gateway towers, and other old-style structures that will leave you in an awe of its immense grandeur. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee:

• INR 5 for Indian nationals and US $5 for foreign nationals
• Video camera fee- INR 500
• Still camera fee- 50
• Local guide fee- INR 50
• Shoe safekeeping- INR 10

Visit duration: Approximately 1.5 hours Tip: Hire a guide to show you around the major attractions of this temple including the underwater Shiva Temple within the Sri Virupaksha Temple complex.

3. Hanuman Temple

Image Source Hanuman Temple is another famous religious site located on the top of the Anjaneya Hill which is considered as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. About 4 km from Hampi village, one has to cross a river using a small boat with paddles and then climb up the stairs to reach the Temple. The serene and picturesque ambience of this temple offers mesmerizing views of sunrise and sunset, making it one of the perfect places to see in Hampi and around. Timings: Open all days dawn till dusk Entry fee: None Visit duration: Approximately 30 – 45 minutes Tip: Beware of the monkeys in the temple premise and do not tease the animals.

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4. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

Image Source Hemakuta Hill is a wonderful place lined by a number of Hindu temples, ruins of fortified walls, and broken pathways. Mula Virupaksha Temple in Hemakuta Hill Temple complex is one of the most prominent places to visit in Hampi. Timings: Open all days from sunrise till sunset Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 3-4 hours Tip: Don’t miss the sunset view from Hemakuta Hill.

5. Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple

Image Source Located on the south side of Hemakuta Hill, the Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple derives its name from the resemblance between Ganesha’s belly and mustard seed which is locally known as Sasivekalu. It houses a 2.4-meter statue of Ganesha spectacularly carved out of a boulder stone depicting a snake around Lord Ganesha’s stomach. The history of the magnificent pavilion that surrounds the statue of Ganesha dates back to 1506 A.D. making this temple a famous tourist attraction in Hampi. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 45 minutes Tip: Visit Kadalekalu Ganesha located on the northern slope of Hemakuta Hill.

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6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Image Source Within the ruins of Hampi, the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple- also known as the Statue of Ugra Narsimha- is the largest monolith statue in Hampi. This 6.7-meter high statue was built in 1528 A.D. which was vandalized in 1565 during a Mughal raid over the Vijayanagara Kingdom. The statue of Lord Narasimha- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and a half-man, half-lion- depicts the deity sitting in a cross-legged position in its fierce form. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 1 hour Tip: Carry battery backup for your camera as the place is quite photogenic.

7. Queen’s Bath

Image Source Probably, a royal bathing complex for the erstwhile king and his wives, this majestic and enormous ancient building sets the clock back and is one of the major places to see in Hampi. The beauty of the ruins of Queen’s Bath gets to you the moment you lay your eyes on the unbelievable architectural style of this ancient royal pool. A huge courtyard in the front with a dome-shaped roof, balconies with small windows, and a rectangular pool made of bricks in the middle with open blue sky greet you at the Queen’s Bath in Hampi. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 30-45 minutes Tips: Carry adequate cash with yourself. Purchase stone carvings and sculptures made by local artists here.

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8. Riverside Ruins

Image Source An array of 108 Shiva Lingas carved on the flat rocky surface and a finely rock-carved sculpture of Lord Vishnu in a reclining position make Riverside Ruins one of the most enticing places to visit in and around Hampi. A number of small shrines, statues, pavilions, and carved artefacts within this cluster of ruins make it a perfect place for photographers and historians. Exploring historical ruins is one of the best things to do in Hampi  and while visiting this spot, you can surely treat the history buff in you. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee: INR 30 Visit duration: Approximately 30-45 minutes Tip: Hire a local guide to help you explore the Riverside Ruins

9. Hampi Bazaar

Image Source

Located in the foothill of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular Hampi sightseeing places. It is an ancient street stretching over a kilometer and lined with ruins of pavilions. Hampi Bazaar once used to have bustling shops, restaurants, and residences on both sides of it. At one end of the Hampi Bazaar, you can find a huge Nandi bull with a photo gallery on the other side. The lavish pavilion in front of the Nandi bull statue plays host to the famous annual Hampi Bazaar. Shopping at local stores and eating at restaurants are the best things to do in Hampi at night.

Timings: 06:00 am to 11:00 pm (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 1-2 hours Tip: Explore the tourist spots of Hampi Bazaar on a rented bicycle.

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10. Archaeological Museum

Image Source The Archaeological Museum in Hampi is one of the most noteworthy Hampi tourist places having four different art galleries that house a wide variety of artefacts. Ancient coins, statues, paintings, metal plates, armoury, and sculptures of various Hindu deities can be found here. All four sections of this museum are worth exploring and a treat for history buffs and kids. Timings: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (all days, except Friday) Entry fee: INR 5/per person (Free entry for children under the age of 15 years) Visit duration: Approximately 1.5- 2 hours Tip: Do not click pictures outside the museum as photography is allowed only in the open lawn outside the art galleries.

11. Matanga Hill

Image Source Matanga Hill offers panoramic views of the historical ruins of Hampi and its surroundings. After trekking up the hill for around 30 minutes, you will find Veerabhadra Temple sitting right at the top of Matanga Hill. This temple has a rooftop, which is unarguably the best place to witness sunrise and sunset over the lovely landscape of this historical Hampi town. Timings: Dawn to dusk (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 3 hours Tip: Carry a mini torch/flashlight as Matanga Hill and the paths leading up to the hilltop aren’t well lit.

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12. Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Image Source Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a protected forest area where you can witness lovely Indian Sloth bears strolling around or climbing up the trees or playing around with each other. Established in 1994, this sanctuary also houses leopards, hyenas, jackals, spotted deers and various other species of animals and plants making it one of the most favourable places to see in Hampi for nature and wildlife lovers. Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days) Entry fee:

• INR 50 per person for Indian national
• INR 300 per person for foreign national
• Parking fee-INR 500 per car

Visit duration: Approximately 3 hours Tips: Wear good sports/hiking shoes. Also, carry adequate drinking water with you. You can see bears marching down from nearby hillocks in the evening.

13. Tungabhadra Dam

Image Source Among famous attractions in Hampi and surrounding places to visit, the Tungabhadra Dam pure natural bliss. With lovely flamingos playing around the beautiful garden on one side of Tungabhadra Dam, it’s the best place to take out your camera for some great shots. Timings: 08:30 am to 6:30 pm (all days) Entry fee: Nil Visit duration: Approximately 1.5 – 2 hours Tip: Watch out for the beautiful music fountain that starts around 7:00 in the evening.

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14. Hippie Island

Hippie Island is one of the sightseeing places in Hampi, known for its astounding beauty. As the island is named after a vibrant culture, you can enjoy vacationing here in the lively ambiance of this island. Located across the Tungabhadra River, the initial name of the island was Virapapur Gadde.

Timings: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Entry fee: NA Visit duration: 4-5 hours  Tip: Don’t miss mesmerizing views of sunsets along with the live jam sessions conducted on the beach

15. Gagan Mahal

Gagan Mahal is a magnificent architecture that dates back to the 16th century. However, the significant areas of this palace are currently ruined but the palace is worth visiting. You can also head to the nearby popular attractions including Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Sarovar Laxmi Temple, Durga Temple, etc.  Timings: 24 hours Entry fee: NA Visit duration: 1 hour  Tip: The place is like a paradise for history lovers.

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16. Krishna Temple

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18. Hazara Rama Temple

19. Elephant Stables

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20. Stepped Tank

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22. Kamal Mahal

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24. Kadalekalu Ganesh

Kadalekalu Ganesh is a crucial religious attraction in Hampi. Visitors will experience traditional stone architecture in this temple. There is a 15 ft long monolithic stone statue of Lord Ganesha which is believed as the largest in the world. Add this sacred spot to your list of places to visit in Hampi in one day to seek the blessings of the ‘Vighnaharta.’

Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Entry Fee: NIL Visit Duration: 1-2 hours Tip or places to visit: Lotus palace, Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, and Hippie island are a few attractions that tourists can plan to visit while on a trip to Kadalekalu Ganesh.

25. Tiruvengalanatha Temple

Image Credits: Ms Sarah Welch for Wikimedia Commons Also known as Achyuta Raya Temple, it is one of the popular and stunning places to visit in Hampi . This temple was built in 1534 AD and was named after the main deity who is a form of Lord Shiva. This temple was a few of those last temples built during the Vijayanagara Empire. Sitting between Gandhamadana and Matanga hills, the temple, however, lies majorly in ruins that were as a result of attacks on it by the Bahmani Kingdom. Timings: Daily 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Entry fee: None Visit duration: 1-2 hours Tip: Make sure you wear modest clothes that are not at all revealing as a token of respect to the religion.

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26. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

Image Credits: Dineshkannambadi for Wikimedia Commons Hemakunta Hill Temple Complex is home to many temples that are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Located in the southern region of Hampi, these temples are amongst the most ancient ones that can still be visited in Hampi. This is what makes the complex amongst the top places to visit in Hampi . A lot of these temples were constructed between the 9th and 14th centuries, even before the famous Vijayanagara Empire that ruled Hampi. Timings: Daily 6:00 am to 6:30 pm Entry fee: NA Visit duration: 2-3 hours Tip: Do not forget to carry your cameras to capture the beauty of these places

27. Krishna Pushkarani

Image Source One of the most sacred places in Hampi, Krishna Pushkaranis takes you back to ancient times. This famous tourist spot allows one to get a glimpse of the architectural style of the Vijayanagara era. You will find many such Pushkarnis all around the city. Located near Krishna Bazaar, this remarkable water tank is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. Timings: Open throughout the day Entry fee: None Visit duration: Approximately 20-30 minutes Tip: While visiting here, don’t forget to explore nearby Krishna Bazaar

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28. Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

Image Source One of the most famous temples in Hampi , Prasanna Virupaksha Temple was built during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. The temple is dedicated to Prasanna Virupaksha, who was an avatar of Lord Shiva. Surrounded by lush greenery, this striking temple boasts an alluring architecture that intrigue visitors. Besides this, the central part of the shrine is always immersed in water that makes the temple all the more special. Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm Entry fee: None Visit duration: Approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour Tip: Spend some time on the lush green lawn of the temple

29. Laughing Buddha Cafe

Image Source Hampi boasts numerous cafes where vacationers can spend some cosy time and among the best ones is the Laughing Buddha Cafe. While offering spectacular views of the Tungabhadra River, this lively cafe serves some mouth-watering meals along with refreshing drinks. You can savour your meal while enjoying light music in the background. The cafe impresses visitors with its menu that includes a wide range of sizzlers, curries, and pizzas, and Israeli cuisine as well. Timings: 8:30 am to 10:00 pm Entry fee: NA Meal for two: INR 1,000 approximately Tip: To treat your tastebuds, try some Israeli delicacies

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Best Time To Visit Hampi

Hampi tourism is at its peak, from October to February, as the weather is pleasant and great for sightseeing.

The month of January/February also is an ideal time to visit Hampi, owing to the cultural extravaganza that takes place in Hampi Utsav .

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How To Reach Hampi

By Air- Hubli Airport and Belgaum Airport are two major domestic airports located at distances of 144 km and 215 km from Hampi, respectively. Bangalore Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 350 km from Hampi. By Road- Hampi is among beloved weekend getaways from Bangalore and is well connected to Hospet, Hassan, Mysore and other nearby cities by road as buses ply regularly. Tourists travelling to Hampi by road can also avail taxis that are available from nearby towns and cities. By Train- Hospet Junction- the nearest railway station to Hampi, is about 13 km away.

The aforementioned places to visit in and around Hampi, give you every reason to skip mountains and beaches. Especially if you are an architecture and history buff, these places will surely intrigue you and allow you to have a memorable vacation. Plan your vacation to Hampi with TravelTriangle and enjoy your enthralling vacation! For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here .

Frequently Asked Questions About Places to Visit in Hampi

What is Hampi famous for?

If you are a history buff who likes to explore the heritage relics, then Hampi should definitely be on your list. The scenery of Hampi feels right out of a history book. It is a place for free souls and hippies. Enjoy the nature scenes of the place, camping under the stars, and take a boat ride on the river. Hampi can be so much fun for adults as well as for kids.

What is there do in Hampi?

There are so many things to do in Hampi . For starters, visit each and every temple and ruins Hampi is famous for. All those relics that you see on Indian rupee notes are from Hampi. The charming town is located by the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Taking a coracle ride on the river is a one-of-a-kind experience. You will feel free-spirited in Hampi. Such is the nature of this place. You should also attend the Hampi Utsav that is a celebration of colour and culture.

How do I cover Hampi in 2 days?

You can easily cover Hampi in 2 days. Just get a scooter or a bike on rent and roan around Hampi at your leisure. Start with Virupaksha Temple, Vijay Vittala Temple, and hill temple Complex on day 1, visit the Hampi bazaar to buy some souvenirs from your vacation. On day 2, you can cover Queen’s Bath, Hazara Rama Temple, Stepped Bank. If you have time, you may cover a few more attractions in Hampi before you leave.

How many days are sufficient for Hampi?

Two days are sufficient to visit this World Heritage Site. The place is full of historic monuments and to visit the places nearby two days are sufficient.

When is the best time to visit Hampi?

October to February is the best time to visit Hampi as the temperature is pleasant to explore the city. One can also visit during the monsoon season but should be careful as it gets quite slippery.

Is Hampi safe to travel alone?

Hampi is quite a safe place for solo travellers. As far as the safety of female solo travellers are concerned, one should be cautious in any part of the world.

Where should I stay in Hampi?

Some of the best Hampi hotels are Kishkinda Heritage Resort, Clarks Inn Hampi, Hotel Gowri and Thilak Home Stay to enjoy a luxurious stay.

What are the best places to visit in Hampi?

The best places to visit in Hampi include Hanuman Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Tungabhadra Dam, Stepped Tank, Kamal Mahal, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, and more.

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• Places To Visit In Hampi

Places to Visit in Hampi

The renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site and the once-magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire; Hampi attracts backpackers and pilgrims in equal numbers due to its intriguing ruins of forts and temples.

Things To See & Do

Coracle Ride

Ride across tungabhadra river.

1 to 1.5 hours

Suggested Time

Virupaksha Temple

Oldest temple in hampi.

2 to 3 hours

Vittala Temple

Iconic temple ruins.

Minimum 1 hour

Rock Climbing

Climb giant boulders.

Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple

8-feet statue of lord ganesha.

Pattabhirama Temple

Known for intricate architecture.

Hampi Bazaar

Locally known as virupaksha bazaar, best time to visit hampi, ideal winter destination, peak season, moderate season.

• What To Expect : Moderately cool weather.
• Things You'll Love : Sightseeing, rock climbing and ferry rides.

FESTIVALS AND EVENTS

Hampi Festival November

Purandaradasa Aradhana January/February

Sivaratri February/March

Phalapuja Festival December

Book Your Trip to Hampi

Travel options to reach hampi.

Our Recommendations

Flight to Bangalore Airport, then cab to Hampi

10h 40m . one way.

Booking Price

Flight to Bangalore

Cab to hampi, flight to goa airport, then cab to hampi, 10h 43m . one way, flight to goa, stay in hampi.

Recommended Options

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Recommended for you.

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4 STAR HOTELS

5 star hotels, discover by interest.

Serene Hill Stations

Perfect Weekend Spots

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Honeymoon destinations

Best places to visit in hampi.

Hampi is a small village located in the southern state of Karnataka, India, and is famous for many Hampi tourist places, ancient temples, stunning architecture, and rich history. Most places in Hampi are popular among history buffs and architecture enthusiasts, offering a glimpse into India's rich cultural heritage.

Top Places to Visit in Hampi

Virupaksha Temple is among the top places in Hampi, dedicated to Lord Shiva and is believed to have been built in the 7th century AD. The temple has undergone several renovations and expansions over the centuries and features beautiful carvings and sculptures.

Another popular temple in Hampi is the Vittala Temple , which is known for its intricate stone chariot and stunning musical pillars. Among the top places to visit in Hampi, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple complex also includes several smaller shrines and a beautiful garden.

The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple

The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple holds top rank among places to see in Hampi, for its massive statue of Lord Ganesha, which is carved out of a single block of granite. The temple is located on the slopes of Hemakuta Hill and offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

The Pattabhirama Temple

The Pattabhirama Temple is another ancient temple in Hampi West Bengal, dedicated to Lord Rama. The temple is known for its beautiful carvings and intricate architecture and is believed to have been built in the 16th century AD.

The Hampi Bazaar

The Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular shopping destinations in Hampi, known for its colourful markets and street vendors. Visitors can find a wide range of items here, from traditional Indian clothing and jewellery to souvenirs and handicrafts.

Best time to visit Hampi

Summer in Hampi lasts from March to May, and temperatures can reach up to 40°C (104°F) during the day. It can be quite hot and dry, and visitors are advised to stay hydrated and avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day. Summer is quite difficult for things to see in Summers in Hampi.

Monsoon season in Hampi lasts from June to September, and the village receives heavy rainfall during this time. However, the rain brings a lush green landscape and cooler temperatures offering a gorgeous Hampi sightseeing experience.

Winter in Hampi lasts from October to February, and the weather is pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F). The pleasant weather makes it a great time to explore Hampi attractions and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking and rock climbing.

Places to Visit in Hampi with Family & Friends

The elephant stables.

One of the best places to go in Hampi with friends, the Elephant Stables, built in the 15th century, are a group of massive structures that were used to house the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. The stables are made of granite and feature intricate carvings and arches.

Matanga Hill

Matanga Hill is one of the most popular places to explore in Hampi, offering a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can climb to the top of the hill and enjoy panoramic views of the temples and monuments of Hampi.

Sanapur Lake

Sanapur Lake is among the most beautiful tourist spots in Hampi which offers a break from the hustle and bustle of the city. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and is a popular spot for boating, kayaking, and swimming.

Best Places in Hampi for Couples

The lotus palace.

One of the amazing places to visit in Hampi for couples, The Lotus Palace, also known as the Kamalapura Palace, is a stunning example of Indo-Islamic architecture. Built during the reign of King Krishnadevaraya, the palace features intricate carvings and a unique blend of Hindu and Islamic design elements.

The Tungabhadra River

The Tungabhadra River is among the most adventurous and stunning places in Hampi, running through the centre of the city and providing a source of water for agriculture and daily life. Visitors can take a boat ride along the river and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

Anegundi Village

The historic village Anegundi Village is among the most charming scenic spots in Hampi located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Visitors can explore the narrow streets and alleys of the village, which are lined with traditional houses and shops.

Good Places to Visit at Night in Hampi

Suresh restaurant.

Suresh Restaurant in Hampi is a popular eatery that has been serving visitors. One of the popular dining spots in Hampi, the restaurant is known for its South Indian vegetarian dishes such as masala dosa, uttapam, and thali.

OLD CHILL OUT Ganesh Restaurant

OLD CHILL OUT Ganesh Restaurant, located near the Hampi Bazaar, is a laid-back restaurant popular among backpackers and travellers. The restaurant has a hippie vibe with low tables and floor seating, making it one of the interesting destinations in Hampi. The menu features a mix of Indian and international dishes.

Trishul Restaurant

One of the best tourist places in Hampi, Trishul Restaurant is a modern restaurant known for its variety of pasta, pizzas, desserts and more.

Best Places to Visit near Hampi

One of the popular places to visit near Hampi, Hospet is a popular destination for tourists who want to explore the Tungabhadra Dam , the largest dam in the state of Karnataka. Other attractions in Hospet include the Chitradurga Fort, Anegundi Fort , and the Queen's Bath.

Located around 64 km from Hampi, Bellary is a city rich in history and culture. Visitors can explore the Bellary Fort, the Jindal Vijayanagar Steel Plant, and the Sandur Hills.

Located around 140 km away from Hampi, Badami is known for its ancient rock-cut cave temples. The four temples, dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, are considered to be some of the best examples of ancient Indian architecture.

Hampi is a unique and historic destination in India that offers a wealth of cultural and natural attractions to visitors. Hampi tourism includes stunning architecture, ancient ruins, picturesque landscapes, and vibrant local culture.

FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Hampi

What are the things that you should not miss out on when you are in hampi.

If you are a true traveller, you should definitely not miss out on Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, and Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple when you are in Hampi to make a funfilled vacay.

What are the activities you can explore during the peak season and moderate season in Hampi?

In the peak season months October, November, December, January and February you will experience moderately cool weather wherein around moderate season i.e. July, August and September you will enjoy average but inconsistent rainfalls. Whatever that suits your calendar, Hampi awaits you for a good time.

What are the best places to visit in Hampi?

Hampi has loads of places that you can visit on your vacation. Our recommendation of the best places to visit in Hampi include - Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple, and Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple. Apart from these, there are multiple other places to visit that you can explore if you are on a longer trip!

Destinations Near Hampi

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The Many Places To Visit In Hampi, The City Of Ruins

Hampi, a small temple town in the Indian state of Karnataka is mainly famous for the many temples and historical buildings from the ruins of the ancient Vijayanagar Empire . With a host of tourist places to visit in Hampi, this place is a perfect destination for heritage lovers and history buffs. The unbelievable boulder arrangements, monoliths, and ruins of ancient edifices are sure to leave tourists astound.  Read on to know more about Hampi, the city of ruins.

Table of Contents

History Of Hampi

The ancient town of Hampi is located in the Indian state of Karnataka, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River near the modern town of Hospet. It was once the magnificent capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, but now much of it lies in ruins which can be seen when visiting Hampi. Today, they form a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Though the settlement itself, as well as many of the temples, go back for many centuries, Hampi is most closely associated with the Vijayanagara Kings who ruled here for over 200 years from 1336 AD. In the 14th century, it was filled with traders, merchants, and bustling markets. According to historical records left by Portuguese and Persian traders, it was an extremely wealthy and prosperous metropolitan city.

By 1500, it was said to be the world’s second largest medieval-ear city (after Beijing). Hampi’s wealth attracted traders from across the region. This led to it having an excellent system of roads and public infrastructure. However, numerous wars with the Muslim Sultanates came to a head at the Battle of Talikota in 1565. A coalition of the sultanates captured and beheaded the king, bringing an end to the Vijayanagara dynasty. They followed this by sacking and looting Hampi. The once-wealthy city reportedly burnt for six whole months and was ultimately abandoned as ruins.

10 Interesting Facts About Hampi

• The historic antiquity of Hampi can be traced back to 238 BCE (Mauryan period).
• Hampi city was originally called Pampa-Kshetra after the Hindu Deity Pampa.
• Hampi is not only historic but also has religious significance. This is the place where Lord Rama met Hanuman, his loyal disciple.
• The saregama stone pillars of Hampi at Vittala Temple produce music when tapped softly at the right places.
• City of Hampi was once an international trading center that brought wealth, fame and splendor to the city.
• Hampi city almost disappeared and was forgotten after attacks from Muslim Sultans, hence it was called the lost city.
• During the Medieval Period, Hampi was the 2nd largest city after Beijing in China.
• The ruins and monuments of Hampi are spread over an area of 26 square kilometers.
• One of the oldest functioning temples in India, the Virupaksha Temple is here in Hampi. This temple is believed to have been functioning since 7th century AD uninterruptedly.
• The Hazara Ram temple in Hampi has historical objects and fossils that are claimed to be from the time of Ram and Krishna’s era.

List Of Best Places To Visit In Hampi

The many temples of hampi.

Hampi is an ordinary town but what makes this place extraordinary is its many ancient temples . There are around 20 Temples here for a splendid heritage and cultural tour. 

Virupaksha Temple – Hampi is most famous for its many temple complexes, each complete with its own marketplace. The oldest of these is the massive Virupaksha Temple. Still an active site of worship, it consists of various shrines dedicated to deities Shiva, Pampa Devi, and Durga. They sit in the shadow of a 160 foot gopuram (gatehouse tower). 

Vitthala Temple – Another splendid temple to see while visiting Hampi is the Vitthala Temple, one of the most splendid and artistic in the area. It is dedicated to Vitthala (a form of the god Krishna). Some of the most famous features of this temple are the Garuda Shrine in the form of a stone chariot, and the musical pillars that resonate with musical notes when struck.

Hazara Rama Temple – Located nearby, the Hazara Rama Temple (also known as the Ramachandra temple) was the ceremonial temple of the royal family. Both the outside and the inside are richly decorated in carvings depicting the Hindu epic Ramayana and various festivals. 

Achyutaraya Temple – The Achyutaraya Temple, with its 100-column hall decorated with avatars of Vishnu, deities such as Shiva, Surya, Durga and scenes of daily life provides a unique insight into life in the Vijayanagara Empire. 

Hemakuta Hill Temple – The gorgeous ruins of the temples and marvelous mountainside view is all worth the climb to get to the top of this hill. Either side of the hill is lined by a number of Hindu temples, Hampi ruins, and broken pathways. Make sure to reach early to catch the sunrise from here.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple – The most significant and religious of them all is the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, also known as the Ugra Narsimha temple. This 6.7-meter high statue was built in 1528 A.D, a half-man and half-lion, sitting in a cross-legged position in its fierce form is a carnation of Lord Vishnu. It is the largest monolith statue in Hampi City.

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple – This holy shrine must be on top of your list of places to visit in Hampi because it is one of the biggest statues (4.6 meters) of Lord Ganesha that exists in the southern part of India. Located on the hills of the renowned Hemakuta Hills, this temple is a crucial religious attraction in Hampi.

Kodandarama Temple – Situated on the bank of Tungabhadra River, the Kodandarama temple is one of the finest architectural jewels which clearly shows the passion for art and architecture of the rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire. This is the place where lord Rama crowned Sugriva after defeating Vali, hence the temple is dedicated to lord Rama. Huge statues of Lord Rama, goddess Sita and Laxamana are housed here.

Other Places To See In Hampi During Your Visit 

Apart from the many temples, there are also lots of other things to see in Hampi. A few of the popular ones are listed below:

Queen’s Bath

The majestic and enormous ancient royal pool with unbelievable architectural style gives one a feel of the lavish lifestyle of the king and his wives. You will be amazed at the very moment you set eyes on the Queen’s Bath in Hampi. A royal rectangular bathing complex right under the sky with beautifully designed balconies is sure to fill your heart. The dome-shaped roof and stunningly tiny windows, the rectangular pool under the sky, all well define the beauty of Queen’s Bath. The ruins of this ancient building is one of the must places to visit in Hampi.

Hampi Bazaar

Perhaps the most popular of all the places to visit in Hampi is the Hampi Bazaar. The one kilometer long stretch of shops on either side is located in front of the Virupaksha Temple. Bordered by ancient pavilions, it is now filled with small shops selling jewelry, clothes and antiques, and restaurants offering a wide range of cuisines. Along the path, you can also spot the huge Nandi Statue. Also known as Yeduru Basavanna, it is the site of the Vijaya Utsav, the Hampi arts festival. Walking towards the Vitthala Temple you can also spot the Sule Bazaar, which was supposedly the ancient town’s red-light district.

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal, also known as Kamal Mahal is a stunning Indo-Islamic architectural design. This was supposedly the queen’s recreational pavilion. The central dome of Lotus Mahal resembles the shape of a bud of lotus and hence the name. The beautiful balconies and passages are meant to be its petals. There are around 24 pillars to provide support and beauty to this amazing structure. The lotus shaped design of this palace is what wins the heart of the tourists that flock from every corner of the world. Lotus Mahal is open to the visitors between 8:00 am and 6:00 pm. Definitely one of the most attractive places to visit in Hampi!

Royal Buildings

Visitors can also see the many royal buildings that remain. Among these are the Mahanavami Platform, once used for festivals, and the grand Elephant Stables. In the royal center of the ruined city, you can also see the numerous water tanks and water pavilions for public baths, as well as public bhojana shalas (community kitchens) and fountains. However, one of the most popular spots is the Zenana Enclosure. Located near the elephant stables this may have been the residence of the royal ladies (though this is disputed) and features the wondrous two-storey Lotus Mahal. 

Matanga Hill

For panoramic views of the historical ruins of Hampi head straight to the Matanga Hill. Matanga Hills is the highest point in Hampi providing a captivating aerial view of the city. For adventure seekers, a 30 minutes trek will take one to Veerabhadra Temple at the top of Matanga. This rooftop temple is the ideal place to witness the best sunrise and sunset. Apart from this, capturing the aerial view of Hampi ruins from here is one of the top things to do in Hampi. The serenity of this place makes it a paradise for travel photographers. 

Elephant Stables

Elephant Stables, which was constructed in the 15th century, during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire is one of the most significant places to see in Hampi. An Indo-Islamic style of architecture was applied in the construction of these stables. There are around 11 dome shaped chambers which once were used for the parking of royal elephants. Each chamber can accommodate two elephants at a time. Some of these domes are interconnected which gives the whole building a symmetrical appearance. This place is open for visitors from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

Hippie Island

Hippie Island, originally named as Virapapur Gadde is located across the Tungabhadra River. It takes around 5 minutes by boat to reach the island. It is famous for hut stays in the astounding beautiful and vibrant Island. The huts are made in the basic styles and are well-equipped with all the essential amenities that you would need for a memorable vacation. They serve awesome shacks and cafes which operate from October end to mid-March. The mesmerizing view of sunsets, lively ambience while witnessing the live jam sessions at the banks of the river are the things to look out for while here.

Also Read: Iconic World Heritage Sites In India You Have To See

How to Reach Hampi?

Hampi is easily accessible from most places in India. The closest airport is 40 kilometers away, Jindal Vijaynagar Airport (VDY) near Bellary. However, flights can be infrequent here, making it simpler to go through larger hubs like Bangalore or even Hubli. From here, Hampi is the perfect distance for a weekend road trip or a quick getaway. Visitors can also come in by train, as the nearest railway station, Hospet Junction, is just 13km away. Trains run regularly from Bangalore, Mysore, Goa, and Hyderabad and are quite comfortable. Hampi itself is best explored by foot or bicycle to get the feel and soak in its unique atmosphere. However, there are also rickshaws and car rentals available.

A vacation with your beloved ones to this iconic city is sure to be a fruitful one. Now that you have the entire guide ready with you, travel to Hampi to explore this incredible place. If we’ve missed any good places to visit in Hampi, be sure to share them in the comment box below.

Cycling, Rock Climbing, Coracle Ride, Fishing and Boat Ride are some of the best activities available here.

A minimum of two full days is necessary to explore all the best places in Hampi.

Cool winter months between October and February is the best time to visit Hampi.

Hampi is relatively a very safe city. It is highly recommended even for solo women travelers. The local residents here are understanding and non-interfering.

Hospet, 30 minutes from Hampi is the best place to stay as it offers some good food and accommodation options.

Thank you for the information you supplied; it’s truly helpful. We are offering the eco-friendly tented accommodations and attentive yet discreet service allows guests to truly unwind in comfort amidst the serenity of the Evolveback Hampi Resort.

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11 Awesome Things to Do In Hampi + Places to Visit + Video (India)

by Drifter Planet | Oct 25, 2015 | India , Most Popular Blog Posts

Here’s our travel guide for Hampi in Karnataka, India. This post has information about how to reach Hampi, how to travel internally, where to stay and top places to visit in Hampi.

A unique destination which is a pilgrim’s delight, a backpacker’s haven, a historian’s riddle and a geologist’s venture – Hampi in Karnataka has it all! Except for one thing . We did not see a single resort and we hope it remains this way.

Hampi is a small town in Karnataka, India. We arrived here by catching a train from Goa to Hospet. From Hospet, we rented a tuk tuk from to Hampi. None of the guidebooks or pictures had prepared us for the strange beauty of this place.

Hampi is known for its ruins, temples and many spectacular viewpoints but there’s so much more than that. For us, the best thing about Hampi was its natural beauty.

There are many amazing places to visit in Hampi but most of the people just come here for a day or two, visit the temples and then head to their next destination. Yes, Hampi has amazing temples but please don’t miss so many other things it has to offer.

If you’re visiting Hampi for the first time, then I’d recommend you stay here for at least four days or even longer. Don’t stay in the main Hampi town next to the temples but stay on the other side of the river on Hippie Island . Yes, there is a river island that you can reach very easily within minutes on a public boat.

The real name of this Hippie Island is actually Virupapur Gaddi. The public boat doesn’t run at night, which is ok because there is nothing to do in the main Hampi town at night. However there’s always something fun to do on the Hippie Island.

Hampi Travel Video

Want to join San and I on a virtual trip to Hampi? If you don’t want to read the whole post about things to do in Hampi, then you can just watch this video that was filmed there. It starts with our train journey with Indian Railways, our entry into Hampi’s Hippie Island, sunset point, many viewpoints, heritage landmarks and cliff jumping.

Things to do and Places to Visit in Hampi

01) visit hampi’s temples and ruins.

Hampi’s Ruins – things to do in Hampi

A walk around Hampi’s main town will leave you awestruck. Every turn has a monument and every single one of them has a story to tell. Heard of the Hindu epic Ramayana? Well, Hampi is believed to be the setting for various parts of it.

The ruins are a UNESCO world heritage site . Hampi was the ancient capital of Vijayanagara, also known as “A Forgotten Empire”. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. What’s more, the first historical settlement in Hampi dates back to 1 CE!

Hampi’s Mysterious History

If you’re looking for places to visit in Hampi in one day, then your first stop should be these temples and ruins.

02) Climb Hampi’s Giant Boulders and Try Bouldering

Hampi’s Giant Boulders

Most who know about Hampi, know it because of its ruins and the mythology associated with this picturesque village.  However, not many know about Hampi’s fascinating geology.

Those that have visited have been charmed by numerous boulders which form hills, valleys, riverbeds… practically everything here.

Hampi’s AWESOME Boulders

Nature has placed Hampi’s boulders in such a way that they appear to be arranged in different structures. It is said that these rocks have one of the oldest surfaces on the planet.

The ancient city of Vijayanagara had a distinctive style of architecture by utilizing and cutting the boulders. For us, this was the most interesting aspect of this place.

Read: 7 Colorful Flea Markets of Goa

03) Visit the Hippie Island in Hampi (+ Stay in a Hut)

Our Hut in Top Secret River View on Hippie Island Hampi stay

Hippie Island – wow, doesn’t the name sound awesome? This is the nickname of the tiny island which is across the river, also known as Virupapur Gaddi.

While the pilgrims stay in the main Hampi town, the backpackers generally choose this little river island. Let’s get one thing right – this is NOT the place for you if you like luxury. You can enhance the experience of your visit tremendously if you’re open to staying in a simple hut here.

Our cute little hut with a hammock was in a place called Top Secret River View , which we could only reach by walking through a trail that started from the ferry drop point. Too bad this place doesn’t exist anymore but you can try try  Hema Guest House  or   Murali Homestay, Hampi .  Both of them are in the same area.

04) Climb Matanga Hill – Hampi’s Best Viewpoint

Matanga Hill Viewpoint – San admiring the view

Hampi has many different hills that you can climb for some stunning views of the entire area! Many of these viewpoints are well known and some even have a story to tell!

Our favorite was Matanga Hill which is at the center of Hampi and is the highest point. On top of the hill is an ancient Veerabhadra Temple and there are steps that lead to the roof of that temple.

At the time we visited, we were the only ones on top and got to enjoy a few hours in savoring in the breathtaking view. Do not carry a lot of things with you because at several points, you will need to use your hands and legs to climb like a monkey.

There is a massive monolith Nandi statue at the entry point of the hike that goes on top of Matangal Hill. Nandi is a bull that is associated with Hindu God Shiva.

Apart from Matanga hill, there are many other viewpoints that you can access by climbing on the hills. They are easy to spot because you will see some people around. Out of everything, this was one of my favorite things to do in Hampi.

View from Sunset Point, Hippie Island in Hampi

05) Visit Anjaneya Hill – the birthplace of Lord Hanuman a.k.a. Monkey Temple

Monkey Temple on Anjaneya Hill in Hampi by Drifter Planet

Although not technically Hampi, this place is in the nearby village Anegondi which is easy to reach from Hippie Island. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Unlike the Matanga hill, this place is easy to climb because of the presence of proper steps.

Steps Leading to Anjaneya Hill (Monkey Temple) – things to do in Hampi

There is a Hanuman mandir on the top of the hill – temple hat is dedicated to the monkey warrior God. Be sure to keep your belongings in your pockets or bags because this hill is full of monkeys who like “borrowing” things from humans. The view from the top is breathtaking with several paddy farms, banana trees and Hampi’s ruins.

Stunning View from Anjaneya Hill, Hampi by Drifter Planet – places to visit in Hampi

06) Join the Sunset Jam Session at Sunset Point on Hippie Island

Sunset Jamming on the Rocks in Hampi

When in Hampi, you can catch a stunning sunset view from almost everywhere. Whether you’re sitting by the ghat next to the river, or climb on one of the hills, or visit Jain Temple near Hemkuta hill – it’s beautiful to see how the rocks emit a reddish hue when the sun sets.

When we visited Hampi, our best sunset experience was from a little hill on Hippie Island known as “Sunset Point”. It is away from the main area. An hour before the sunset, it’s usually buzzing with the sounds of percussion, strings and a few other hand held musical instruments. There are usually no parties in Hampi but the sunset jam session will satisfy your “party” craving.

Sunset Point, Hippie Island in Hampi – places to visit in Hampi

Read: 11 Hippie Destinations in the Himalayas

07) Cliff jumping in Hampi – Jump off a cliff to swim with a crocodile

Cliff Jumping in Hampi, Karnataka – fun things to do in Hampi

Wait, what? Cliff jumping in Hampi? We did not believe when we heard it. We rode around the hippie island and came across many water bodies – river, reservoir and a lake! We saw many painted signs that said it’s unsafe to swim in the water because of a crocodile. We did not want to be a crocodile’s meal. We spoke to a lot of locals and they mentioned that they have never seen a crocodile all these years while living there.

However, we reached Sanapur Lake and asked around for the cliff jumping point just out of curiosity. Upon reaching the jumping point, we couldn’t hold back and JUMPED.

Cliff Jump Hampi, Karnataka

The water was in an enclosed area so it didn’t make sense for a crocodile to hang around that area.

Hampi cliff jumping

Two jumps and a few hours later, we felt revitalized because the water appeared to be clean. Do this at your own risk!

A little chat with a few locals revealed that there probably isn’t really a crocodile in the reservoir but the signs were put after many visitors often made this area their “party spot”. The weather in Hampi is extremely hot, even during the winter months so most likely you will want to swim here to cool off.

08) Ride a Scooter Around Hampi and See Rice Paddies

San Trying his best to look scared while I rode a scooter in Hampi

What better way to enjoy sprawling lush landscapes than riding a moped (or bike) through them? This was the highlight of our trip.

Believe it or not, I’m terrible with motorized two wheelers but riding a rented moped on Hampi’s empty roads was simpler I thought! A moped is easier to ride as compared to a scooter.

San feeling possessive about his little moped after I rode it around

You have to experience it understand how amazing it feels. The roads in Hampi and around are narrow. If you stay on Hippie Island, you can drive to the other areas such as Sanapur Lake (where we cliff jumped), Anjaneya Hill (monkey temple), the nearby village Anegundi and around. The best part is that the road is usually empty and there is natural beauty on both side of the road. You will see lush green paddy fields (see my video), forgotten temples and little children playing with no care in the world.

This is exactly why I noticed everyone riding a moped had an ear to ear smile on their faces! This is a must! Also, we discovered some places to see around Hampi which were not mentioned in many guidebooks while riding around aimlessly.

Stunning Pond in Hampi – We discovered this while riding around aimlessly on the scooter

09) Ride a ferry on Tungabhadra River  –  Hampi’s RED river with statutes on the rocks

Hampi’s Red Tungabhadra River and Statues peeking out from the rocks

Yes, the river does have red water! What’s more, every rock peeking out of the river had some statue or the other. This is the same river that you cross to reach Hippie Island from Hampi by ferry. This ride lasts for only 5 minutes. Please keep in mind that the ferry schedule keeps changing. On our visit, we were informed that the ferry only runs from 6 am to 6 pm. 

Talking about the ferry ride, you should read this travelers bad experience in Hampi – specially the second point.

10) Hampi Has Cute Cafes – Make the Most of Them

Top Secret River View in Hampi (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone about it 😉 )

With the abundance of colorful cafes, we never got to eat at the same place twice. The best cafes were on the Hippie Island. We loved our meals in Top Secret River View, Laughing Buddha and Hema’s café.

Most of them have board games that can keep you occupied for hours. We ended up meeting a bunch of interesting travelers in these places. Hampi’s main area has only a few of them out of which Chill Out Café and Mango Tree stood out.

Chill Out Cafe in Hampi

11) Meet Hampi’s Lovely locals

Cute Local Kids in Hampi

The locals of Hampi charmed us with their hospitality and warmth. After living in a city, the friendliness of the simple minded residents here was a refreshing experience. The grownups appeared to be shy but the children approached us many times to introduce themselves. Strangely, the teenage boys were notoriously flirtatious! Most of them spoke excellent English.

Hampi’s cute locals

BONUS: See some crazy sights!

We can’t predict what you will see but we can assure you will witness some crazy sights like we did.

We saw this cheeky monkey who was totally in love with its own reflection!

This monkey was totally checking himself out!

We saw a few locals riding a round boat in Hampi that resembled a basket. It is a coracle and we later found out that these boats are very common in Karnataka. You should totally try to ride one in Hampi if you’re there.

Basket Boat in Hampi, Karnataka – Places to visit in Hampi

Hampi’s unique round boats – don’t they look like baskets? These boats are a common sight all over Karnataka.

We saw this shiny green bug on our walk from the ferry point to our hut! Does anyone know what it’s called?

Shiny Green Bug in Hampi

Places to Stay in Hampi and Hippie Island:

The pilgrims stay in the main town where as the backpackers head to the Hippie island . I highly recommend  Hema Guest House , where you can stay in a cute hut for around INR 500 per day with hammocks in the balcony. I love the food and the garden area at  Hema Guest House . You can also try Murali Homestay, Hampi  on Hostelworld – where a room costs around INR 800 per night for two.   Or, you can try looking for deals for both Hema guest house and Murali homestay on Agoda.

Book Now (DEALS): Agoda.com or Booking.com for Hema Guest House Book Now (DEALS): Agoda.com or Booking.com for Murali Homestay

If you want to treat yourself to a fancy place, you can check out Shiva Vilas by Welcome Heritage  on Agoda. A lavish room here costs just about $100 and can go up to $250 depending on your choice. I usually end up finding the cheapest prices on Agoda but I prefer booking.com because they offer free cancellation on most of the bookings, while Agoda offers it only on some of them. This has saved my life (and money) many times.

Check deals for Shiva Vilas: Agoda.com   for Shiva Vilas

How to Reach Hampi

I’m going to give you information about how to reach Hampi from the below two major destinations in India. In case you’re traveling from Delhi , then the easiest way to reach Hampi is to fly to Bangalore and then do the remaining journey by train.

Bangalore to Hampi

If you’re traveling from Bangalore to Hampi, then you can do most of this journey on a train to either Hospet or Toranagallu. From any of these train stations, you need to take a tuk tuk to Hampi. The name of the station in Bangalore from where you can take the train is Yelahanka Junction and the station code is YNK.

The fastest train for this journey is Mysore Sainagar Express, train number 16217 that goes from many stations in Bangalore including Bangalore city junction (SBC), Bangalore Cant (BNC) and Yelahanka (YNK). It leaves Yelahanka at 8:56 am and reaches Hospet at 4:55 pm.

The best option for Bangalore to Hampi train journey is Hampi Express , which takes just 35 minutes longer than the fastest train but you will end up saving so much time because it is an overnight journey. It leaves Bangalore’s main train station (SBC) at 10 pm and reaches Hospet at 7:10 am the next day.

Goa to Hampi

We did our journey to Hampi from Goa, once by train and once by bus. I will give you both the options.

For train, you first have to do the journey from Goa to Hospet and then reach Hampi on a tuk tuk from Hospet. If you’re searching for a train ticket, you need to look from Madgaon, station code MAO (one of the train stations in Goa) to Hosapete Junction, station code HPT.

The fastest train is VSG Howrah Express, train code 18048 that leaves Madgaon at 7:50 am and reaches Hospet at 2:48 pm on the same day. Alternatively, you can also try train number 17420 and 17022 – WSG Tirupati express and WSG Hyderabad express. Both these trains leave Madgaon at 9:35 am and reach Hospet at 5:50 pm. If possible, please take the earlier train because you will end up wasting your entire day in the journey if you take the second one.

From Hospet, the easiest way to reach Hampi is on a tuk tuk (or auto rickshaw as they’re called in India). I have traveled a lot on Indian trains but it was the first time that the tuk tuk driver was inside the train 2 stations before Hospet to negotiate with us. He first came to us and said he can drop us to Hampi for 500, then after a few minutes he said 300 but at the station when he saw I was going to ask the price from the other tuk tuk drivers, he said 250 and drove us there. (You can see him in the video).

The bus journey from Goa to Hampi or Hampi to Goa was really good because it was an overnight journey. This service is run by Paulo Coaches and you will have to visit a local travel agent to book it.

Places to visit near Hampi

Goa is unlike any other place in India because it was isolated by rest of the India for many years. It was under the Portuguese rule while most of the India was under Mughal and British rule, hence Goa is very liberal. I consider myself a Goa expert because I have visited more than 20 times and even lived here with San. You can find all our blog posts about Goa on this page.

Gokarna is in Karnataka and is just below Goa. While Goa is facing over-tourism, most of the Goa afficianados are now heading to Gokarna. It is famous for its Om Beach, yup a beach that’s shaped like ॐ Om.

I have never been to Mysore but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. It is one of the biggest cities in Karnataka and is along the Chamundi Hills. It is supposed to be one of India’s cleanest and best planned cities. Growing up in India, we often heard stories about Tipu Sultan’s bravery. He was Mysore’s beloved ruler who fought and lost a battle with the British in 1799.

Bangalore is Karnataka’s capital and the most prominent city of this state. As per me, it is also India’s beer capital because United Breweries Group’s is headquartered here. India’s most famous beer – Kingfisher is brewed by the United Breweries Group. The affluent Vijay Mallya (India’s Richard Branson) once had his empire here.  Bangalore has a lot of gardens, lovely locals, an amazing coffee culture and mindblowing food but the traffic situation is hideous.

Have you been to this land of mystery already? If so, let me know what are YOUR places to visit in Hampi and top things to do. I would love to hear what you think about this beautiful village! If you liked this article, please share!

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16 Comments

You can also bicycle through Hampi, which already people have been doing for so many years.

That’s amazing! Do you have any pictures to share?

I loved Hampi, but since I like my comforts, we stayed at the Hyatt just outside the town. That large basket like vessel is called a coracle. We took a ride in one of those with a local.

Awesome. Is Hyatt in Hospet? 🙂 Good to know that you did a boat ride.

Hello there! You people are going great! Cheers to you. I’m planning Hampi this month. I just wanted to know if we have to pre-book those small huts or they are available on the spot? as I’m planning a budget travel, I don’t want to book any resorts or hotels. Please revert Thanks in advance Happy travels!

Hey there, those huts were a part of a place called “Top Secret” and it sadly doesn’t exist anymore. You can prebook Hema’s – the link is in “Where to stay in Hampi” section at the bottom of this post. 😉 Have fun while you’re there.

HI…I was planning to go to Hampi for 2 days. Can you suggest the best possible itinerary?

Hey Aditya, there are many places to visit in Hampi and you may not be able to do everything. Just pick a few things that we have mentioned on our post here – you don’t really need a specific itinerary for visiting Hampi. Hope you have fun there.

What kind of itinerary would you recommend for a solo female traveller?

Hey, that was an amazing read above. Could you tell me if there is anything to do after it gets dark in Hampi, most probably in the main town? Actually, my bus is at 10pm and I am not sure how and where to kill those 4hours. Any suggestion is welcome 🙂

Thank you drifter planet for this awesome post. Just came back to hampi after jumping in sanapur lake. Awwwwesome experience!!!!. Biking on the route in a superbike made it more….

Glad you enjoyed your time in Hampi. Yes the cliff jumping near Hampi is amazing – seriously, it is the one of the most amazing places to visit in Hampi. Also the bike rides are fun. 🙂

Hampi is awesome and you just described the way it is… Keep it up..

Yes, it is awesome and there are so many amazing things to do in Hampi. We’d love to go back and revisit. 🙂

I just stumbled upon this post while researching for a tentative trip to Hampi. How beautifully articulated with stunning pictures. Another convenient way to reach Hampi by road is to rent a self-driving car from Zoomcar and drive down to enjoy the journey as well.

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Hello Travelers!

Namaste, Guten Tag! I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).

I love European city breaks, nature, adventure, hiking to viewpoints, Yoga, and road trips. I have a knack for creating the most amazing travel itineraries and in-depth destination guides which will help you make the most of your trip.

Not sure where to start? Start with some of my most popular posts .

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Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Drifter Planet

12 Places To Visit Around Hampi You Must See

Hampi is a small, but beautiful temple town, lined with the ruins of historical Vijayanagara, Karnataka , State, on the banks of the river Tungabhadra. The many tourist sights in Hampi fulfill this dream world of rocks, monoliths, and ruins of antiques, and is also regarded as one of the best places to visit in Karnataka .

Table of Contents

List of Top 12 Attractions in Hampi and its Around

A perpetual current of history buffs, families, and photographers can be seen in many places to visit in Hampi . Hampi is one of the most famous historical and religious tourist sites in Indians thanks to its UNESCO World Heritage Status.

1. Vijaya Vittala Temple

Hampi, Krishna Temple is one of the most famous places in Hampi and attracts travelers with its exquisite carvings from around the globe. Krishnadevaraya was built by the temple and demonstrates its interest in culture and art.

2. Sri Virupaksha Temple

Sri Virupaksha Temple is believed to be India’s oldest temple, a temple dedicated to the Lord Virupaksha, a manifestation of Lord Shiva from the 7th century. The temple also is known by many pilgrims from across India as one of the most important religious sites in Hampi.

A big court courtyard, massive gateway towers, and other old-style buildings surround the wide campus of Virupaksha Temple and you will be overwhelmed by the sheer grandeur of it.

3. Hanuman Temple

The holy site in Hanuman is situated on the top of the Anjaneya Hill which is known as Lord Hanuman’s birthplace. Approximately 4 km from Hampi, a small boat with paddles will cross the river, then climb up the stairs to the Temple.

The serene and picturesque atmosphere of the temple offers hot springs and sunsets and makes it a beautiful place to see in and around Hampi. The sun rises and falls.

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4. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

Hemakuta Hill is a majestic place lined with Hindu temples, fortified walls, and winding roads. Mula Temple Virupaksha is one of Hampi’s most popular places to visit in the Hemakuta Hill Temple complex.

5. Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple

The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple on the south side of Hemakuta Hill is named after the resemblance of Ganesha bellies to a mustard seed locally called Sasivekalu.

It features a spectacularly built 2.4-meter Ganesha statue, which depicts a snake around the stomach of Lord Ganesha. The history is from 1506 A.D. of the majestic pavilion surrounding the Ganesha statue. This temple makes Hampi a popular tourist attraction.

6. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

The Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, also known as the Ugra Narsimha’s sculpture, is the largest monolithic sculpture in Hampi in the ruins of Hampi. It was installed in 1528 A.D., this 6.7-meter high statue.

This was vandalized by the Mughal invasion of the Kingdom of Vijayanagara in 1565. The statue of Lord Narasimha – a Lord Vishnu incarnation, and a half lion – shows the deity in its fearsome form sitting in a cross-legged position. Read Also: 15 Reasons Why You Visit Karnataka .

7. Queen’s Bath

This was vandalized by the Mughal invasion of the Kingdom of Vijayanagara in 1565. The statue of Lord Narasimha – a Lord Vishnu incarnation, and a half lion – shows the deity in its fearsome form sitting in a cross-legged position. Also, read Famous Destinations to Visit in Karnataka in October .

8. Matanga Hill

Matanga Hill provides panoramic views of the Hampi ruins and their surroundings. You can find Veerabhadra Temple right on the top of Matanga hill after walking up the hill for about 30 minutes.

This temple has a roof that is the best place for sunrise and sunset over the magnificent scenery of this historic town of Hampi. Read Also: Top 10 Historical Monuments Sites In Karnataka .

9. Tungabhadra Dam

The Tungabhadra Dam has pure natural happiness among popular attractions in Hampi and the surrounding areas. It’s the best spot to take some nice shots from your camera, with lovely flamingos playing in the beautiful garden on one side of Tungabhadra Dam. Also, read 10 Most Famous Hill Stations in Karnataka .

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10. Krishna Temple

Hampi Krishna Temple is one of the most famous plazas in Hampi, and its exquisite carvings draw people from all over the world. Krishnadevaraya designed the temple and shared his interest in art and culture. Read Also: 10 Famous 5-Star Hotels in Karnataka .

11. Sanapur Lake

Sanapur Lake is only 5 kilometers from the island of Hippie and is surrounded by cliffs and gravel. A watering system has been created in the pool, and the cool breeze is the ideal place where to relax. Watersports like cliff jumping and boating can also be enjoyed here. Read Also: Top 10 Places to Visit in Karnataka in November .

12. Hazara Rama Temple

Another draw in Hampi that highlights the royal age is the Hazara Rama Temple. The Temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and, by photography, the walls display the essential chapters of Ramayana. Over several decades, this impressive infrastructure has attracted tourists.

Best Time to Visit Around Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is between October and February. This is when the weather is cooler and there are fewer crowds. The temple complex is open from 6 am to 6 pm, but it’s best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the heat. March to May is the hottest time of year, so it’s best to avoid visiting during this time. June to September is the monsoon season, so there is a risk of heavy rains.

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My 3-Day Budget Trip Itinerary To Hampi With Friends Under ₹15000 Per Head

Although on my wishlist since about 3 years, when I declared my vacation spot to be Hampi, I was surprised to know not many people are aware of this paradise! Here’s a glimpse into my budget trip to Hampi vacation if you’re wondering where and what is Hampi. Once you know, there’s no turning back.

Also Read: 5 Things To Do At Hippie Island In Hampi

How It Happened? Sitting in Grandmama’s Cafe one fine day, my friends and I got to discussing our vacay goals and plans ahead. And the next minute I knew, we were all planning a trip together! Although met with much scepticism, we agreed to lock in Hampi as the destination and boy, are we glad.

Pro Tip: Those balancing a dense work schedule but still wish to travel a lot, here’s what I do. Marry long weekends with smart planning and voila! Your work will never be affected and neither will you have to compromise on travel goals. My Hampi trip was a Republic Day long weekend!

How To Get To Hampi?

We flew to Bengaluru right after office hours and from there booked an Ola Outstation service for 3 days. From here it was an overnight journey to Hampi. This proved to be rather expensive though and I would suggest you book a luxury bus instead from Mumbai to Hospet which takes 14-15 hours.

What’s Hampi? Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka, a paradise nesting carefully in ruins, taking you back to a long forgotten time of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th-century.

‘Hampe’ in Kannada, Hampi was formerly known as Pampa, one of the many names of the Tungabhadra river (Where Hampi is situated). Pampa Devi was the goddess of the river and the daughter of Lord Brahma.

Hampi has two sides. Completely opposite to each other in nature. One is Temple side/Hampi side/Hampi Bazar and other is Hippie side also known as Hippie Island which is situated in small Virupapura Gadde village which lets you discover your hippie soul. One is filled with historical relevance and other is super laid back.

Lush green paddy fields, supercool cafes, bakeries and guest houses where you will find backpackers from across the world living like a nomad here.

Where To Stay Shanti Guest House, Gothami Guest House, Bobby One Love, Murali Guest House, Mowgli Guest House, Sunny Guest House, Chill out Café and Guest House, Laughing Buddha, Goan Corer, Hema Guest House etc.

Pro Tip: Don’t look for the deals on hotel booking sites. Just call up the direct number (take it from Google) and book it directly. Yes, you can negotiate as well. We stayed at Bobby ‘One Love’ Guesthouse (Contact: Raghu, 8970076805). Don’t expect luxury! Only basic amenities will be provided.

Where To Eat And What To Do Hippi Island is the place to be for a vast variety of cuisines and tasty dishes. From authentic South Indian food to Spanish, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Singaporean, Indonesian, American & Mexican cuisine, there’s something for everything here!

Note: The only alcohol you’ll find here is cold Beers. Also, non-veg paradise.

I would recommend Hema Café (German Bakery) preferably for breakfast (Multi Cuisine), Mango Tree restaurant for Lunch (They serve delicious Thali and their lemon mint cooler is to die for) and Laughing Buddha for Dinner.

Shopping Scenes Bunch of souvenirs like shawls and cloths, traditional costumes, jewellery, stone figurines, antique coins, replicas of Hampi ruins etc. are what you will find here.

Pro Tip: The best way to move around here is to rent scooters which is usually cheap but expect higher rates in peak season.

Places to Visit

1. Monkey Temple on Anjaneya Hill Awaken the adventurer in you for to get to the top, 520 steps await. But the sun setting over a view of ENTIRE Hampi? Worth the climb. The Temple is the supposed birthplace of Lord Hanuman and hence, the name.

2. Sanapura Lake One of the lesser known locations in Hampi, it is worth visiting. The lake is the backwaters of Tungabhadra river and the ride to get here (10km from Hippie Island) is heavenly. You can also indulge in Coracle rides in these calm waters and hire assistance for cliff jumping. Although many signboards warn of crocodiles, our coracle owner assured us of safety.

3. Virupaksha Temple This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha, as the consort of the local goddess Pampa who is associated with the Tungabhadra River. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples in India where people have been performing continuous worship to God for the last 7 centuries till today.

4. Hemakuta Group Of Temples A rocky hill especially famous for several temples situated on the top of it. This hilltop offers you a lovely scenic view of Hampi and gives a great opportunity to show your photography skills. A lot to explore, a lot to click, a lot to frame!

5. Badavilinga Temple  This is yet another ancient temple featuring a shrine & pedestal with a Hindu linga, surrounded by a pool of water.

6. Statue of Ugra Narasimha The biggest statue in Hampi, this is a fantastic big statue of Lord Narasimha (Nara – man and Simha – lion, a lord combined with a man and lion’s figure) who was the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu.

7. Sasivekalu Ganesha An enormous statue about 14 ft high of Lord Ganesha. Some big slender stone pillars with many mythological themes carved decorated the front hall of this Statue. Instagram worthy people.

8. Krishna Temple Constructed by the Krishnadevaraya in 1513 to honour lord, Krishna. This temple is one of the best attractions in Hampi. The temple ground is decorated with several stunning Yali designed pillars and impressive carvings of elephant balustrades.

Also, don’t forget to explore the ruins of Krishna bazaar which is right opposite to the temple.

9. Shiva Temple From Krishna Temple head to this unique underground Shiva Temple. For some curious reasons, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built many meters below the ground level. For this reason, almost all the time the sanctum and the core parts of the temple are under water, restricting entry to the inner areas!

10. Vijaya Vittala Temple The architectural marvel, The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. A must visit for all when in Hampi!

11. Hazara Rama Temple It is one of the important shrines in Hampi dedicated to Lord Ram. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. The temple is famous for the lovely bas relics and panels depicting the story of the epic Ramayana.

12. Lotus Mahal Also known as Kamal Mahal or Chitragani Mahal, it is one of the only handful and a few astonishing building in Hampi that had not been damaged or destroyed amid the attack on the city.

13. Stepped Tank Also known as Pushkarani, this is a sacred water tank that is attached to the temples. Most of the major temples in Hampi have a Pushkarani built near them.

14. Elephant Stables The Elephant Stables is a wonderful structure that provided shelter to the royal elephants of the grand Vijayanagara Empire.

15. Zanana Enclosure The Zenana Enclosure was a fortified and secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire.

16. Queen’s Bath The luxurious bath which includes a big verandah with a rectangular pool surrounded by extended balconies and carved domes where Vijayanagara Kings and Queens used to take bath. Although called Queen’s bath, the pool was used by both Kings and Queens.

What We Missed But You Shouldn’t

1. Sunset at Matanga Hill If you are staying on the Temple side, this is the best place to get a mesmerizing view of Sunset or Sunrise and a panoramic view of Hampi. It is a moderate hike up the hills for 45mins to 1 hour, depending on one’s capability.

2. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary Located about 15km from Hampi, Dorji Sloth Bear Sanctuary was created exclusively for the preservation of the Indian Sloth Bear. Visit this between 2 PM – 5 PM as they slather the honey on the rocks to attract the bears so that tourist can get a good spotting.

Also Read:  6 Places To Go To In India For A Hippie Getaway

Now all you need is a long weekend for a Happy, Hippie, Hampi!

This article was contributed to Curly tales by our reader Prasad Baliram Nakhawa. If you would like to write your story, drop us an email on [email protected]

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Top 10 Places to Visit in Hampi

Hampi in India is one place that is considered venerable enough to be awarded the status of UNESCO World Heritage site, and if you dig around a little, literally, you will find it very easy to see why. As is common knowledge, Hampi is a world famous ancient ruins site of civilisations of the past. Some lesser known facts are that it was influenced by the Vijajayanagars, houses a temple that has wheel architecture in front, and that it has a wildlife sanctuary that boasts of sloth bears’ existence. Not necessarily in that order. So, whether you’re looking for a laid-back vacation, a historically educative experience, or some time to give yourself. Hampi’s a good idea any day. Check up on the weather, and start packing as we count down the 10 absolute best destinations of here.

1. Virupaksha Temple

India and other heritage tourism spots are renowned for their glorious temples and palaces and this temple is the one that lends the majority of such glory to Hampi. A true temple as old as time, Virupaksha Temple’s inauguration and functioning dates back to the 7 th century, making it the most ancient and revered temple here. It is famous for musical involvement and has something to satisfy architecture, history and religion devotees.

2. Sasivekalu Ganesha

Sasivekalu Ganesha is the Hindu God of wit and wisdom, and this destination in Hampi is devoted to exactly that lord. There are spectacular statues of him, and architecture in the shape of mustard. There are wonderful views of land for miles around and photo opps shutterbugs would kill for.

3. Kadalekalu Ganesha

No wonder the ancient folks were so intelligent, building roads and bath houses that leave modern architects scratching their heads in puzzlement. Well, now you know that the secret to their success was their very devout worship of the Kadalekalu Ganesha , proven by this second consecutive memoriam to him. This temple and statue is for the history and architecture buffs out there.

4. Matunga Hill

The beauty of Hampi lies in the fact that it provides amazingly clutter free landscapes even with such architectural heavyweight glamour nearby. Matanga Hill is one such open-air spot, a hilly region where you can go backpacking, trekking and climbing.

5. Hemakuta Hill Temple

This one is a double whammy of Hampi Tourism. It has hills, the open-air charm element of Hampi, and architectural, religious glamour in form of one of the many temple groups that earned Hampi the UNESCO tag. Hemakuta Hill Temple is for a date with religion and history, you can worship, photograph or look around for miles from high up.

6. Hampi Bazaar

Whoever heard of tourism without a little bit of shopping? You know how offended the folks at home are going to be if you return empty handed. Here’s a fun fact: old world people loved shopping too, and they met their needs at Hampi Bazaar . This bazaar had gone to ruins, but is now being desperately revived by authorities and is a popular tourist spot as a result.

7. Pampa Sarovar

Pampa Sarovar  is one of the most popular tourist spot in Hampi, great for photography especially when the Sun is setting, and holds special interest for lovers of history and architecture.

8. Achyutaraya Temple

Achyutaraya Temple is another of the many gorgeous temples in and around Hampi and is dedicated to worshipping Lord Krishna. With sculpture that reminds one of Alexandria, it is best watched at sunrise and sunset.

9. Sunset Point

Sunset Point is the ideal place to go to if you’re looking for a perfect sunset, it is eponymous actually. It serves the joint purposes of nature, photography and adventure lovers, as it is also a trek trail.

10. Mathanga Temple

This is like an amalgamation of Matanga Hill and Matanga Temple , both amazing tourist spots in their own right. This is a hilly place where there is a good chance of falling over if you climb without proper shoes on, so do the needful. It is under constant maintenance, and is particularly mesmerizing at dusk.

Hampi is a lot of things. Hampi is UNESCO recognized. Hampi has more temples that many cities put together. Hampi can put you in mind of glorious pasts. Hampi has hills where you could go trekking. Most of all, Hampi can delight both your mind and your heart, notwithstanding the eyes, if you pay it a visit. So, what are you waiting for? Go right ahead!

Other Interesting Places In Karnataka:

• Top Tourist Places In Coorg
• Top Tourist Places In Hubli-Dharwad
• Top Tourist Places In Aihole

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A beautiful rock city and it is a must visit for everyone. You will enjoy the food, stay and sightseeing.

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40 best places to visit in india before you die.

In this article, we shall discuss the 40 best places to visit in India before you die. To skip our detailed analysis of the tourism industry in India in 2024, go directly and see 10 Best Places to Visit in India Before You Die .

According to figures by the  World Travel & Tourism Council, India is currently the tenth largest country in the world in terms of the travel and tourism industry's total contribution to the country's GDP, which currently stands north of $191.3 billion as of 2023. Moreover, the country's tourism sector is a critical source of foreign exchange, with India offering more than 40 UNESCO world heritage sites, 10 bio-geographic zones, 105 national parks, and 560 wildlife sanctuaries, many of which rank amongst some of the best places to visit in India before you die . India's travel agency business is severely dominated by MSMEs (micro, small, and medium enterprises), with more than 300,000 travel agent businesses facilitating seamless travel to some of the best places to visit in India , thereby representing the largest volumes of business in booking at about more than 52% of the travel market. These are heavily segmented across multiple diverse categories of service providers, like travel packages, cab, and bus booking companies. This segment is expected to reach more than $65 billion by 2027. The country's international tourist arrivals are expected to reach more than 30.5 million by 2028. These are increasingly optimistic figures, especially considering the fact that India was one of the hardest hit countries during the COVID-19 pandemic as virtually all public movement in the country was restricted.

Zooming In On India's Economic Boom

Our article on the 35 Most Visited Countries in the World in 2024 projects India to be one of the fastest growing tourist destinations for leisure-travel spending   by 2026, causing stocks like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG ), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ: ABNB ), and MakeMyTrip Ltd. (NASDAQ: MMYT ) to divert greater investments in India's bustling tourism market. According to a report by McKinsey, India's economic boom and staggering population growth lands it amongst an elite group of countries which are expected to deliver record international travel in the coming years, with the number of total trips skyrocketing from 13 million in 2022 to more than 80 million in 2040. This is supplemented by the fact that India is now the fifth largest economy in the world and its population, predominantly below the age of 25, has overtaken China to become the largest in the world with over 1.4 billion people.

Investing in the Indian Market Potential

Our article on the 10 Best India ETFs sheds light upon the optimism surrounding India's economic boom which peaked investor interest in many India-focused ETFs like iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (BATS:SMIN), which tracks the investment results of the MSCI India Small Cap Index. The index comprises relatively small Indian companies in terms of market cap, thereby providing targeted access to the small cap segment of the Indian stock market. Over the past five years, the ETF is up 93.01% as of April 20.  Introduced on February 8 2012, iShares MSCI India Small-Cap ETF (BATS:SMIN) holds net assets worth more than $858 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of 28.2% as of April 20. Furthermore, as of April 20, it features a portfolio of 486 holdings with the most prominent ones being Voltas Ltd. (NSE:VOLTAS), Max Financial Services Ltd. (NSE:MSFL), and BSE Ltd. (NSE:BSE). Another ETF attracting positive investor interest is WisdomTree India Earnings Fund (NYSE:EPI), which aims to provide investors with exposure to the broad Indian all cap equity of profitable enterprises with a value centric approach. With an expense ratio of 0.85%, the ETF's total assets are valued at $2.91 million as of April 20. Over the past year, the ETF is up 36.9% as of April 20. Some of the most prominent components in the ETF are Reliance Industries Ltd. (NSE:RELIANCE), ICICI Bank Ltd. (

NYSE: IBN ), and Coal India Ltd. (NSE:COALINDIA). As a result of these economic tailwinds, prominent travel stocks like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and MakeMyTrip Ltd. (NASDAQ:MMYT) are hoping to capitalize on India's economic growth wave and its expanding middle class.

India's impressive economic gains have also resulted in infrastructural advancement, with enhanced air and road connectivity facilitating global demand for tourism to the best places to visit in India whilst driving sector-wide growth as well. For instance, one primary beneficiary of this advancement is the airline travel market in India, which was valued at $20 billion in 2020 and is projected to double in size by 2027 owing to advancements in airport infrastructure and increased access to passports. Massive demand for travel to the best places to visit in India before you die has led to major Indian airline carriers to place lucrative orders for more than 1100 jets and planes over the last couple of months. For instance, in June 2023, Indigo placed the largest commercial aircraft order in history for more than 500 Airbus A320 aircraft carriers which are to be delivered by 2030 to 2035. This development came in addition to Air India's massive deal to acquire more than 450 planes from Airbus and Boeing in the same month. According to Booking Holdings' (NASDAQ:BKNG) report ' How India Travels 2023 ', Indians are becoming increasingly inclined to shift away from conventional hotel settings to accommodations like apartments, villas, homestays, and other unique alternatives, leading to enormous upsides for companies like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG) and Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB).

Eco-tourism in India: An Overview

According to a report by KPMG, tailwinds from India's rampant tourism growth are expected to rub off on the country's growing services industry thereby facilitating long-term development. However, the report predicts that despite such an optimistic outlook, major companies operating within India's bustling tourism industry like Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ:BKNG), Airbnb Inc. (NASDAQ:ABNB), and MakeMyTrip Ltd. (NASDAQ:MMYT) are under increasing pressure to adopt more climate-friendly alternatives owing to mounting concerns about climate change and the overall need for India to disassociate its impressive economic surge from greenhouse gas emissions. This is owing to the fact that despite having a relatively low per capita consumption rate when compared to some of the larger economies in the G20, India is projected to have one of the largest carbon footprints in the world in the next decade.

With an increase in travel and tourism in the country to some of the best places to visit in India before you die , India's per capita emissions are on the rise. As per the KPMG report, the industry is well-positioned to to generate revenues upwards of $59 billion by 2028. Moreover, India's sustainable tourism market was valued at more than $26.01 million in 2023 and is expected to reach $151.9 million by 2032 at a staggering CAGR of 19.3%. This meteoric rise sheds light upon the increasing pressure on the country's tourism industry to adopt responsible climate practices, with hotels and resorts resorting to solar, wind and geothermal energy sources in a bid to contain their carbon footprint. Eco-tourism is a critical segment of the global tourism industry and is expected to amount to more than $4.55 billion by 2027. For the fiscal year 2025, the government decided to allocate more than $29.3 million to develop sustainable tourism infrastructure, and promote adventure and religious tourism to some of the best places to visit in India before you die . According to India's G20 Sherpa and former CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant:

"We add a huge [carbon] footprint as we travel. India will attract 40-45 million tourists in the coming years and we should focus on enhancing the value per tourist rather than [the raw numbers]. By doing this we will be able to attract more companies and greater investment from around the world."

Photo by Sylwia Bartyzel on Unsplash

Our Methodology

In order to determine the 40 best places to visit in India before you die , we decided to undertake a consensus-based approach using a diverse variety of credible sources, including but not limited to travel blogs, news reports, and Reddit threads ( 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ). We then shortlisted more than 70 places which appeared most frequently during our research. Since determining the quality of a travel destination is an incredibly multifaceted and complex phenomenon, we established a three-pronged criteria based on some of the most oft-cited priorities for tourists when picking a travel destination; the criteria is premised on each place's cultural or historical significance (25 points), natural or architectural beauty (20 points), and popularity amongst tourists (15 points). We then proceeded to award each place a cumulative score according to the aforementioned criteria and selected 40 places which scored the highest points. Subsequently, we ranked each entry based on the total points scored, from lowest to highest. Where there was a tie, we broke it based on the cultural significance and natural or architectural beauty of the place.

By the way, Insider Monkey is an investing website that tracks the movements of corporate insiders and hedge funds. By using a similar consensus approach we identify the best stock picks of more than 900 hedge funds investing in US stocks. The top 10 consensus stock picks of hedge funds outperformed the S&P 500 Index by more than 140 percentage points over the last 10 years ( see the details here ). Whether you are a beginner investor or a professional looking for the best stocks to buy you can benefit from the wisdom of hedge funds and corporate insiders.

You can read more on travel destinations in Asia in our article 20 Most Underrated Travel Destinations in Asia.

Best Places to Visit in India Before You Die

40. mathura, uttar pradesh.

Insider Monkey's Score: 21

The best time to visit Mathura is between November and March. Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi, Prem Mandir Vrindavan, and Government Museum are some of its most famous spots, making Mathura one of the  best places to visit in India before you die. 

39. Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 22

Packed with rice fields and tall mountains, Ziro is one of the best places to visit in India . It is popular mainly for its festival, the Ziro festival.

38. Mahabalipuram

Insider Monkey's Score: 24

Mahabalipuram is home to various age-old temples and monuments including the Shore Temple and Alamparai Fort.

37. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 25

One of the most popular holiday destinations in India , Shimla is packed with beautiful pine forests and valleys. Kufri, Mall Road, Chadwick Falls, and Jakhu Temple are some of its most-visited spots.

36. Alleppey, Kerala

Insider Monkey's Score: 27

Known as the “Venice of the East”, Alleppey is the oldest planned city in Karnataka. It is famous primarily because of its beaches, lagoons, canals, and strong heritage.

35. Kolkata

Kolkata is most popularly known for its biggest festival, Durga Puja, which showcases the culture and traditions of Bengal, making it one of the best places to visit in India before you die .

34. Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Jabalpur offers various natural wonders and historical heritage to its visitors. Its picturesque location makes it one of the must-visit destinations in India.

33. Prashar Lake, Himachal Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 28

One of the most popular trekking spots in Himachal Pradesh, Prashar Lake, is an extremely scenic lake in India. It is one of the best places to visit in India before you die. 

32. Mumbai 

Insider Monkey's Score: 29

Mumbai is one of the best places to visit in India, precisely because of its vibrant nightlife and energetic people. It is known as the city that never sleeps. When in Mumbai, you can check out some of the city's best eateries based on our article 10 Best Restaurants in Mumbai for Tourists .

31. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Insider Monkey's Score: 30

One of the most visited tourist destinations in India , Darjeeling is popularly known for its wide varieties of tea. The best time to visit Darjeeling is between September and December.

30. Orissa 

Insider Monkey's Score: 32

Orissa is home to various old Hindu temples and is a popular spot for religious travel. One of the most famous temples in the Konark Temple, which narrates the story of the origin of sexuality, and is one of the best places to visit in India before you die. 

29. New Delhi 

The capital of India, New Delhi, is a must-visit destination when visiting India. The city is filled with intricate medieval architecture and historical sites like the famous Qutub Minar and the Red Fort.

28. Lake Pichola, Udaipur

Insider Monkey's Score: 33

The oldest and one of the largest lakes in Udaipur, Lake Pichola is an extremely serene and beautiful lake. Many ghats, temples, and palaces surround the lake.

27. Wayanad, Kerala

Insider Monkey's Score: 34

Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Kuruva Island, and Edakkal caves are some of the most popular spots to visit in Wayanad. Known as the “Nature’s Abode”, Wayanad is one of the best places to visit in India before you die .

Insider Monkey's Score: 36

One of the safest places to visit in India, Coorg is an extremely beautiful hill station. The best time to visit the destination is between October and May.

25. Auli, Uttarakhand

Insider Monkey's Score: 37

Home to mountains and dense forests, Auli is a must-visit destination in India. It also allows its visitors to engage in activities like skiing during winters.

24. Emerald Lake, Ooty

Insider Monkey's Score: 38

The best time to visit the Emerald Lake in Ooty is between October and May. The picturesque lake is located between the green hills.

23. Mahabaleshwar, Maharashtra

Insider Monkey's Score: 40

Elphinstone Point, Venna Lake, Pratapgad Fort, and Mapro Garden are some of the most-visited spots in Mahabaleshwar. It is mainly famous for its strawberries.

22. Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 42

Known as “Mini Switzerland”, Khajjiar is a hill station located in Himachal Pradesh. It is home to many lakes, forests, and snow-capped mountains.

21. Roopkund Lake

5,029 meters above sea level, the Roopkund Trek on the Himalayan ranges is one of the most adventurous activities India has to offer. During the trek, one can see many ranges, waterfalls, and glaciers.

20. Ajanta and Ellora Caves, Maharashtra

Insider Monkey's Score: 43

Ajanta and Ellora Caves are a blend of Buddhist, Jain, and Hindu monuments. There are 29 Ajanta caves and 34 Ellora Caves.

19. Bir, Himachal Pradesh

The paragliding capital of India, Bir, is one of the most popular tourist destinations. It consists of around 10 paragliding spots.

18. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Jaisalmer is home to many sand dunes. It offers various activities like dune bashing, camel safari, and desert camping to its visitors, and has lately emerged as a tourist favorite.

17. Dal Lake, Srinagar

Insider Monkey's Score: 45

Dal Lake in Srinagar is one of the most beautiful lakes in India. It is also known as the “Lake of Flowers'' or “Srinagar’s Jewel”.

16. Nohkalikai Falls, Cherrapunji

Insider Monkey's Score: 46

Located in Cherrapunji, Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest waterfall in India with a height of 340 meters. The destination receives rain almost throughout the year, and is one of the best places to visit in India before you die .

15. Manali, Himachal Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 48

One of the most popular holiday destinations in India , Manali is located in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The best time to visit Manali is between October to February owing to the cold climate.

14. Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep consists of approximately 36 islands, out of which only few are populated. The islands are home to pristine beaches and offer various water activities to its visitors, making it one of the best places to visit in India before you die. 

13. Mysore, Karnataka 

Insider Monkey's Score: 49

Known as the City of Palaces, Mysore is famous for its royal heritage and history. It is the third most populated city in the state of Karnataka.

12. Agra, Uttar Pradesh

Insider Monkey's Score: 51

Home to one of most beautiful architectural marvels in the world in the Taj Mahal, Agra is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Agra is a civilizational hub of India, and is home to a variety of intricate Mughal architecture.

11. Hampi, Karnataka 

Insider Monkey's Score: 52

A heritage site, Hampi  is known for its monastery and old architecture. Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Matanga Hill, and Hazara Rama Temple are some of the most visited places in Hampi. Hampi is number 11 on our list of the  40 best places to visit in India before you die. 

Click here to continue reading and see 10 Best Places to Visit in India Before You Die . 

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Disclosure: None. 40 Best Places to Visit in India Before You Die  is originally published on Insider Monkey.

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A History of Moscow in 13 Dishes

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Cool place to visit in Moscow -- Muzeon Park

One of the most interesting places we visited in MOscow was the New Tretyakov gallery which houses the Soviet Era and socialist realist art; really a must. The older gallery is wonderful but mostly things you can see anywhere in the world; the New Tretyakov has the Soviet art you can only see here (and not even in St. Petersburg where we searched in vane to find Soviet era art).

Just outside the gallery in Muzeon Park is the Garden of Fallen Leaders which is where the unloved statues of unloved despots were dumped and are now displayed: https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2016/12/03/garden-of-fallen-leaders/ Unfortunately on the day we were there is began to pour rain when we left the gallery to explore the park and so I don't have as many pictures as I would like, but it was still pretty interesting and I would put it high on the list of sights to see for a visit to Moscow. It is across the highway from Gorky Park and you could combine a visit. We took the metro from the center to the Oktyabrskaya stop and walked to the park.

On the way back to our hotel we took a detour and visited a couple of interesting monasteries -- they are all over Moscow and well worth checking out ones near where you stay.

Janet , this looks fascinating , starting to plan our Autumn 2017 visit to Moscow , looking forward to hearing more about your visit !

We wish we had given more time to Moscow. Interesting town.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.

Places to Visit in Moscow That Reflect the Real Russian Beauty!

Moscow is a hot favorite destination in Russia. It comprises of monasteries, palaces, museums, parks, cathedrals, towers, hills and galleries. In order to enjoy a complete travel experience, travelers must include every place in their itinerary. Moscow has ancient traditions, rich history and modern culture. Here are the must visit places in Moscow that reflect the real beauty of Russia.

1. Novospassky Monastery: The monastery dates back to the 14th century and is the first monastery established in the heart of Moscow. It is located in the southeastern region and is a must visit place when in Moscow.

2. Sparrow Hills: Sparrow Hills are a must visit for every traveler. It stands tall at an elevation of 220 meters and rises above the Moskya River. You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Moscow skyline from the top of the hill.

4. Moscow Kremlin: Encompassing of all the famous attractions, the Kremlin is the royal residence of the President of Russia. It is one of the best and must visit places in Moscow and offers breathtaking views of River Moskva. It remains closed on Thursday .

5. Diamond Fund: This mine of precious stones and jewelry, Diamond Fund is the most fascinating places to visit in Moscow. It is the best place to visit for those who love diamonds. It was established in 1719 and is within the premises of Moscow Kremlin.

6. Losiny Ostrov National Park: The National Park is a perfect mix of wildlife and nature. It is often compared to Pedra Branca State Park in Rio de Janerio in terms of its size and grandeur. It is the first ever national park of Moscow and one can witness many species of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

7. Ostankino Tower: The tower stands tall at 1772 feet and is famous for being the only free standing structure in Europe. It is the eleventh high rising structure of the world and is the best place for those who wish to relish the best views of the skyline of Moscow.

8. Grand Kremlin Palace: The Grand Kremlin Palace is a must visit place in Moscow. It was established in 1849 and is beautifully constructed with an eye for detail. The elegant and intricate dcor reflects the charm of the architecture in Russia that perfectly blends with the architecture of Byzantine Revival.

9. Red Square: The Red Square is an interesting place that separates the royal citadel of Kremlin from the merchant quarter of Kitai -gorad. It serves as an attraction for tourists and has significant importance in Russias history.

10. Saint Basils Cathedral: This Cathedral is also famed as the Cathedral of Vasily. It is a crucial landmark in Moscow and is located in the heart of Red Square. It dates back to the 16th century and is a visual treat for travelers. It is also one of the most captured attractions in Moscow.

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